Scientific Sessions

Enzymatic and biocatalysis harness the power of biological catalysts—enzymes or whole cells—to accelerate chemical reactions with remarkable specificity and efficiency. Enzymes act as highly selective catalysts under mild conditions of temperature, pressure, and pH, reducing energy consumption and minimizing unwanted by-products. This makes enzymatic catalysis particularly valuable in pharmaceutical synthesis, food processing, and fine chemical production. Biocatalysis can also include engineered microorganisms or cell-free systems that perform complex transformations, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical methods.

The mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis involve substrate binding to the active site, stabilization of transition states, and conversion into products, after which the enzyme regenerates for further cycles. Advances in protein engineering, directed evolution, and immobilization techniques have expanded the scope of biocatalysts, improving their stability, activity, and selectivity for industrial applications. Biocatalysis is increasingly integrated into green chemistry and renewable resource utilization, such as converting biomass into biofuels and biochemicals. By combining molecular biology, computational modeling, and process engineering, enzymatic and biocatalysis provide eco-friendly, efficient, and scalable solutions for modern chemical production.