Semi‐continuous enzymatic synthesis of cefaclor enhanced by in situ product removal

Enzymatic synthesis of cefaclor was carried out with kinetic control. The product yield was improved by the continuous removal of product from the reaction mixture via complexation of cefaclor with 1-naphthol. The effects of pH and temperature on the enzymatic and complexing reactions were investigated. The efficiency of the enzymatic conversion of cefaclor in the complexing reaction was 80% under optimum reaction conditions. In situ product removal (ISPR) decreased product concentration in the bioreactor, consequently the yield of cefaclor increased from 57% (without ISPR) to 80% (with ISPR). The specially designed reactor allowed enzymatic reaction and product removal to be accomplished simultaneously, in which the productivity of cefaclor was improved to 65 g dm−3 by semi-continuous operation lasting for 55 h. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry