Biotransformaatiota

Biotransformaatiota, known in English as biotransformation, refers to the process by which living organisms or their enzymes modify a chemical compound. This modification often involves the conversion of a parent compound into one or more metabolites. Biotransformation is a fundamental biological process occurring in a wide range of organisms, including microorganisms, plants, and animals.

In the context of xenobiotics, which are foreign chemical substances not normally found in an organism, biotransformation is crucial for their detoxification and elimination. The liver is a primary site for biotransformation in many animals, where a series of enzymatic reactions, typically categorized into Phase I (oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis) and Phase II (conjugation), alter the chemical structure of the xenobiotic. Phase I reactions often introduce or expose functional groups, making the compound more polar. Phase II reactions then attach endogenous molecules, such as glucuronic acid or sulfate, to further increase water solubility and facilitate excretion, usually via urine or bile.

Microorganisms also play a significant role in biotransformation, particularly in environmental settings. They can metabolize a vast array of organic compounds, contributing to nutrient cycling and the breakdown of pollutants. This microbial biotransformation is utilized in bioremediation technologies to clean up contaminated sites. In pharmaceutical and chemical industries, biotransformation is employed to synthesize or modify compounds, creating new drugs or improving existing ones. The use of enzymes as biocatalysts offers advantages such as high specificity and mild reaction conditions.