Bioprocessing in nonaqueous media - critical needs and opportunities

Chemical conversion processes are pervasive in the U.S. industry. Whether they are used to make intermediate or final products or to remove hazardous materials from process waste streams, they are critical elements in the processing industries. Because of the mild reaction conditions, unique specificity, and selectivity, advanced processing concepts utilizing biocatalytic conversions are now being considered for many industrial uses, including those directly related to energy production and efficiency. Almost all bioprocessing systems currently used by industry utilize the biocatalysts (microorganisms or extracted enzymes) in a {open_quotes}natural{close_quotes} aqueous environment. This has resulted in many important large-scale applications, particularly in the fermentation and pharmaceutical industries. An exciting new area of bioprocessing research is now evolving - the use of biocatalysts in contact with nonaqueous media such as organic liquids or gases, or supercritical fluids. Such approaches could result in additional bioprocessing concepts that would result in a much broader range of utility, especially in energy production and energy-efficient conversion processes in the chemical industry. In fact, a whole new industry may be evolving.