Biocatalysis in Continuous-Flow Microfluidic Reactors

Abstract

The implementation of continuous-flow transformations in biocatalysis has received remarkable attention in the last few years. Flow microfluidic reactors represent a crucial technological tool that has catalyzed this trend by promising tremendous improvement in biocatalytic processes across a host of different levels, including bioprocess development, intensification of reactions, implementation of new methods of reaction screening, and enhanced reaction scale-up. However, the full realization of this promise requires a synergy between these biocatalytic reaction features and the design and operation of microfluidic reactors. Here an overview on the different applications of flow biocatalysis is provided according to the format of the enzyme used: free vs immobilized form. Until now, flow biocatalysis has been implemented on a case-by-case approach but challenges and limitations are discussed in order to be overcome, and making continuous-flow microfluidic reactors as universal tool a reality.