Solid/gas biocatalysis for aroma production: An alternative process of white biotechnology

• Published in: Biochemical engineering journal Vol. 164; p. 107767
• Main Authors: Cordero-Soto, Itza Nallely, Castillo-Araiza, Carlos Omar, García-Martínez, Luis Eduardo, Prado-Barragán, Arely, Huerta-Ochoa, Sergio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15-12-2020
• Subjects: Aroma production; Bioreactor engineering; Natural aroma; Non-conventional media; Solid/gas biocatalysis; White biotechnology; VOCs; GPLE; Solid/gas biocatalysis; NACs; 2-PE; 2-PEA; Non-conventional media; WB; RSM; 2-H; White biotechnology; SGB; NAD; ILs; Aroma production; VACs; SG; Aw; SCF; IA; Natural aroma; NADP; DESs; Bioreactor engineering
• ISSN: 1369-703X; 1873-295X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107767

•Natural aroma compounds have potential applications for human health and wellness.•Biocatalysis is a sustainable technology for the synthesis of natural aroma compounds.•The synthesis of natural aromas in non-conventional media is a promising field.•Solid/gas biocatalysis offers technological, environmental and economic advantages.•Solid/gas biocatalysis presents engineering challenges at enzyme and bioreactor levels.
In addition to research on the chemical properties of natural aroma compounds (NACs) that cause the perception of flavour and aroma, several studies have reported their potential applications for human health due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-obesity properties. Furthermore, consumer demand shows a tendency towards natural products; most research in the industry and academic fields has focused on the bio-generation of commercially relevant NACs, particularly microbial production via de novo synthesis or biotransformation using enzymes or whole cells in conventional aqueous media. However, most of the attractive industrial substrates are insoluble or poorly water-soluble during their biocatalytic transformation in aqueous media, as the thermodynamic equilibrium favours the hydrolysis rather than the synthesis of NACs, thus limiting the industrial applications. As a promising alternative, solid/gas biocatalysis (SGB) uses catalytic enzyme activity to react with the substrates in the gas phase, minimising the thermodynamic constraints and offering technological, environmental and economic advantages. SGB provides biocatalyst stability, reduces mass transfer resistance, provides eco-friendly product recovery, includes important engineering aspects in the design, and allows for the optimisation and intensification of any bioprocess. This review aims to analyse the potential, technical and engineering aspects of SGB as an alternative white biotechnology process for the biocatalytic conversion of NACs with applications for human health and wellness.