Updated and improved Applied Biocatalysis

Abstract

Applied Biocatalysis, 2nd edn edited by A.J. J. Straathof and P. Adlercreutz, 2000, Harwood Academic Press View Large Image | Download PowerPoint Slide49/UK£37/US$54 pbk. (443 pages+9 color plates) ISBN 9 058 23024 4 This book is an updated overview of commercial applications of biocatalysis and related biochemical–engineering aspects. It is intended mainly as a textbook for an advanced course, but will also be useful for researchers. Although the editors differ from the previous edition (1994), the content and overall structure remain similar. The differences serve to make the book more readable and to include recent developments.The book covers a wide range of topics including: the history of biocatalysis; an overview of the different classes of enzymes; examples of commercial applications; protein engineering; reactions in nonconventional media; process and bioreactor design; patent aspects; and even financial aspects of business decisions. Each chapter includes basic information to introduce students to the field of biocatalysis. The detailed case studies of commercial applications of enzymes as processing aids (Chapter 3) and for synthesis of fine chemicals (Chapter 4) bring together information that is otherwise scattered widely throughout the literature. These chapters will be especially useful to researchers.Compared with the first edition, the second edition contains several structural improvements, which make it much more readable. A more detailed table of contents simplifies finding topics and abstracts added to the beginning of each chapter give a quick overview. Questions at the end of each chapter, usually with hints for the answers, help students to review the material. Another improvement is the drop in price (from View Large Image | Download PowerPoint Slide127.00 to View Large Image | Download PowerPoint Slide49.00); the first edition was only available in hardback, whereas the second edition includes this less expensive paperback version. The second edition has 13 chapters 2 an increase from 11 chapters in the first edition 2 but the number of total pages has decreased slightly. There is a new chapter on immobilization and some of the other chapters have been reorganized.The first edition arose from lecture notes for an advanced course on applied biocatalysis. The members of the Working Party on Applied Biocatalysis in the European Federation of Biotechnology taught several such courses in the past decade. The second edition is an updated and more readable textbook. The 18 contributors, all European, are mainly academics, but with approximately one third coming from industry.An alternative, widely used textbook in biocatalysis is Kurt Faber's Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry1xSee all References1, which is now in its fourth edition. Biotransformations takes a more chemical approach; whereas Applied Biocatalysis takes an engineering approach, covers a wider range of topics and emphasizes commercial applications. Thus, researchers will probably want both books on their shelf, whereas chemistry students will probably prefer Biotransformations and engineering students will prefer Applied Biocatalysis.