1 Introduction and Background Information 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Common Prejudices Against Enzymes 2
1.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Biocatalysts 3
1.3.1 Advantages of Biocatalysts 3
1.3.2 Disadvantages of Biocatalysts 7
1.3.3 Isolated Enzymes vs.Whole Cell Systems 9
1.4 Enzyme Properties and Nomenclature 11
1.4.1 Structural Biology in a Nutshell 11
1.4.2 Mechanistic Aspects of Enzyme Catalysis 13
1.4.3 Classification and Nomenclature 23
1.4.4 Coenzymes 26
1.4.5 Enzyme Sources 27
References 27
2 Biocatalytic Applications 31
2.1 Hydrolytic Reactions 31
2.1.1 Mechanistic and Kinetic Aspects 31
2.1.2 Hydrolysis of the Amide Bond 51
2.1.3 Ester Hydrolysis 60
2.1.4 Hydrolysis and Formation of Phosphate Esters 111
2.1.5 Hydrolysis of Epoxides 120
2.1.6 Hydrolysis of Nitriles 130
2.2 Reduction Reactions 139
2.2.1 Recycling of Cofactors 140
2.2.2 Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones Using Isolated Enzymes 145
2.2.3 Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones Using Whole Cells 153
2.2.4 Reduction of C=C-Bonds 166
2.3 Oxidation Reactions 173
2.3.1 Oxidation of Alcohols and Aldehydes 173
2.3.2 Oxygenation Reactions 176
2.3.3 Peroxidation Reactions 204
2.4 Formation of Carbon-Carbon Bonds 211
2.4.1 Aldol Reactions 211
2.4.2 Thiamine-Dependent Acyloin and Benzoin Reactions 225
2.4.3 Michael-Type Additions 231
2.5 Addition and Elimination Reactions 233
2.5.1 Cyanohydrin Formation 233
2.5.2 Addition of Water 237
2.5.3 Addition of Ammonia 240
2.6 Transfer Reactions 242
2.6.1 Glycosyl Transfer Reactions 242
2.6.2 Amino Transfer Reactions 254
2.7 Halogenation and Dehalogenation Reactions 257
2.7.1 Hálogenation 258
2.7.2 Dehalogenation 263
References 268
3 Special Techniques 315
3.1 Enzymes in Organic Solvents 315
3.1.1 Ester Synthesis 324
3.1.2 Lactone Synthesis 342
3.1.3 Amide Synthesis 343
3.1.4 Peptide Synthesis 346
3.1.5 Peracid Synthesis 351
3.1.6 Redox Reactions 352
3.1.7 Medium Engineering 354
3.2 Immobilization 356
3.3 Artificial and Modified Enzymes 367
3.3.1 Artificial Enzyme Mimics 367
3.3.2 Modified Enzymes 368
3.3.3 Catalytic Antibodies 373
References 377
4 State of the Art and Outlook 391
References 396
5 Appendix 397
5.1 Basic Rules for Handling Biocatalysts 397
5.2 Abbreviations 400
5.3 Suppliers of Enzymes 401
5.4 Commonly Used Enzyme Preparations 402
5.5 Major Culture Collections 404
5.6 Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi 405
Index 407