Because of their structural similarity to naturally occurring α-peptides, β-peptides are interesting basic substances for new pharmaceuticals. In this research project, the partners involved developed an enzymatic procedure for the production of these uncommon peptides which are not found in nature. Here, suitable enzymes are needed – the β-aminopeptidases. These open up the access to a multiplicity of substances that contain β-peptide structures. The project aims at a broadly employable platform technology for the production of different β-peptides. The successful results led already to a patent application and are documented in a scientific publication.

Ecoefficiency
The potential environmental relief through the biocatalytic carnosin procedure has been compared with two chemical production procedures. This approach helped to identify the steps whose optimization clearly increase the ecoefficiency. One main goal is to reduce the water consumption of the biocatalytical process. The use of aggressive reagents and solvents becomes completely redundant.