Nevertheless these decarboxylases are popular biocatalysts that are applicable for numerous specific, regio- and enantioselective reactions in chemical industry. By means of this enzyme class significant amounts of heavy metal (ca. 10 kg of vanadium containing waste per ton of the end product) and hydrogen cyanide containing waste materials (ca. 1-2 tons per ton of the end-product) can be avoided. Within the scope of a research project new decarboxylases were isolated, characterised and prepared for industrial usage.

Search for new decarboxylases
For isolating new decarboxylases three different strategies were employed. The strategy of enrichment was most successful: Five isolates from environmental origin were identified that have corresponding enzyme activity. A comparison of their decarboxylase-sequences shows that they are new, so far unknown enzymes. Especially the substrate profile of a paracoccus decarboxylase seems to be very promising.