biotransformací

Biotransformace refers to the chemical modification of organic compounds by living organisms or enzyme systems derived from them. These transformations are fundamental to biological processes, playing crucial roles in metabolism, detoxification, and the synthesis of various biomolecules. In nature, microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, as well as higher organisms, employ enzymes to carry out these reactions.

The field of biotransformation has significant applications in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. It is utilized for the production of a wide range of chemicals, including antibiotics, vitamins, steroids, and amino acids. Enzymes can perform highly specific reactions under mild conditions, often leading to greater efficiency and reduced waste compared to traditional chemical synthesis methods. This specificity is particularly valuable for creating chiral molecules, where precise control over stereochemistry is essential.

Biotransformation processes can be broadly categorized based on the type of organism or enzyme used and the nature of the reaction. Common transformations include oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, and conjugation. For instance, microbial fermentation is a well-established biotransformation process used to produce ethanol and lactic acid. In the pharmaceutical industry, enzymes are often employed to introduce specific functional groups or to modify existing drug molecules, enhancing their therapeutic properties or reducing their toxicity. Research continues to explore novel enzymes and engineered microorganisms to expand the scope and efficiency of biotransformation for industrial and environmental applications.