Potential applications of NAD(P)-dependent oxidoreductases in synthesis : A survey

Abstract The applications of NAD(P)-dependent oxidoreductases for very selective synthesis processes are reviewed. Numerous fields are concerned: the production of chiral compounds (amino acids, hydroxy acids,…); alcohol, aldehyde, and ketone modifications; steroid functionalization; carbon dioxide transformation; and even some curative systems for environmental problems. The systems are presented in terms of productivity, product purity, and efficiency of cofactor regeneration. The performances of the various reactor types used are discussed. In most of these systems, electron feed or extraction was achieved by adding another substrate as electron donor or acceptor. Although electrochemistry could afford a better way for monitoring all these reactions, it has been very rarely used until now; nevertheless, some examples of electroenzymatic synthesis exist and are highlighted in particular.