In the chemical synthesis two molecular types are produced in equal parts – the S-enantiomer and the R-enantiomer. To establish a biotechnological route to enantiopure profens is the goal of an interdisciplinary cooperation with six partners from academia, research, medium-sized business and large industries within the DBU-funded research network ChemBioTec.

Biocatalytic process relieves budget and environment

Starting materials for the biotechnological production of profen are racemic aldehydes which are easily to synthesize. In a dynamic kinetic scission they are oxidized by certain stereoselectively working enzymes (dehydrogenases) to the desired enantiomer profen with a yield of nearly 100 percent. Furthermore, the project is devoted to the regeneration of the enzyme co-factor and the stabilization of enzymes by a special coating.

The advantages of this biocatalytic process are:

• a doubling of the usable yield

• reduced waste by 80 percent

• a replacement of the previously used heavy metal catalysts through the use of non-toxic solvents

This means increased efficiency and a significant relief of the environment and consequently lower production costs.

Within the project consortium, the chiracon GmbH from Luckenwalde tests the biotechnological profen synthesis on an industrial scale. An efficient downstream processing ensures the profitability of the new method.

Project Coordination:
Delft University of Technology
Faculty of Applied Sciences Biocatalysis and Organic Chemistry
Julianalaan 136
NL-2628 BL Delft
f.hollmann@tudelft.nl
www.bt.tudelft.nl/boc

Project Operation:
chiracon GmbH
Biotechnologie-Park
14943 Luckenwalde
Telefon: 0337/681-299
info@chiracon.de
www.chiracon.de

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