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Many forays by organic chemists into using biocatalysis in chemical synthesis stall at the initial scale-up stage. Screening and small scale (gram) reactions progress as planned, but when scaled -up, reactions stall, take more enzyme than expected, work-ups end up with emulsion issues etc. This course will look at some of the techniques and technologies ( tricks of the trade) that can help derisk scaling up biocatalysed reactions .A further barrier to the adoption of more biocatalytic reactions are production / EHS scientists who are unsure how to handle enzymes in the plant/pilot plant. the course will also look at good sources of information/data to facilitate the use of enzymes at scale.

Enzyme supply chain: Storage, stability etc
Techno-economic analysis – will the transformation ever hit the required targets?
Different types of strains used and its safety impactions.
Using GMO’s and GMO derived materials
Handling concerns related to enzyme -SHE/EHS issues., Safety issues in scaling up biocatalytic reactions
Pros and cons of different enzyme formulations
Enzyme stability: General to pH, co-solvent, temperature as linked to process design and development
Enzyme analysis / characterisation – needed to assess purity in order to calculate activity and so expected long term cost, spec setting / quality control (ensure plant samples match lab samples and measure variation over time).
Scale-up – reactor options – various reactor types, std batch, continuous, membrane separated, continuous liquid extraction, etc
Product isolation from complex mix . Enzyme removal/ downstream processing– to be intelligent in terms of what can and can’t be removed vs effects on process including downstream chemistry.
Use of immobilised enzymes/ Recycling of immobilised enzymes