Scientific Sessions

Biocatalysis involves the use of enzymes or whole cells to catalyze chemical reactions, offering highly selective and efficient pathways under mild conditions of temperature, pH, and pressure. It is a cornerstone of green chemistry, enabling the sustainable production of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, biofuels, and food ingredients while minimizing waste and energy consumption. Biocatalytic processes leverage the natural specificity of enzymes to perform stereoselective, regioselective, and chemoselective transformations, often difficult to achieve with traditional chemical catalysts. Whole-cell biocatalysis further expands possibilities by providing cofactor regeneration and multi-step enzymatic conversions within a single system.

Enzyme engineering enhances the potential of biocatalysis by modifying enzyme structures to improve stability, activity, selectivity, and substrate scope. Techniques such as directed evolution, site-directed mutagenesis, and computational protein design allow the creation of tailored enzymes for specific industrial applications. Integration of enzyme engineering with immobilization methods and process optimization has led to robust biocatalytic systems suitable for large-scale production. Together, biocatalysis and enzyme engineering are driving innovations in sustainable chemical manufacturing, renewable resource utilization, and the development of eco-friendly technologies, bridging biology and chemical engineering for next-generation industrial solutions.