The use of biocatalysts, employed either as isolated enzymes or whole microbial cells, offers a remarkable arsenal of highly selective transformations for state-of-the-art synthetic organic chemistry. Over the last two decades, this methodology has become an indispensable tool for asymmetric synthesis, not only at the academic level, but also on an industrial scale. This well-established textbook on biocatalysis provides a basis for undergraduate and graduate courses in modern organic chemistry, as well as a condensed introduction into this field. After a basic introduction into the use of biocatalysts—principles of stereoselective transformations, enzyme properties and kinetics—the different types of reactions are explained according to the 'reaction principle', such as hydrolysis, reduction, oxidation, C–C bond formation, etc. Special techniques, such as the use of enzymes in organic solvents, immobilization techniques and modified or artificial enzymes, are treated in a separate section. A final chapter deals with thebasic rules for the safe and practical handling of biocatalysts. In this completely revised 6th edition, emphasis has been given to an improved didactic style including colored graphics in order to facilitate a deeper understanding of the underlying principles. New developments, such as transamination, enzyme promiscuity and applications on industrial scale within the field of 'white biotechnology' are included.

The use of natural catalysts - enzymes - for the transformation of non-natural man-made organic compounds is not at all new: they have been used for more than one hundred years, employed either as whole cells, cell organelles or isolated enzymes [1]. Certainly, the object of most of the early research was totally different from that of the present day. Thus the elucidation of biochemical pathways and enzyme mechanisms was the main reason for research some decades ago. It was mainly during the 1980s that the enormous potential of applying natural catalysts to transform non-natural organic compounds was recognized. What started as a trend in the late 1970s could almost be called a fashion in synthetic organic chemistry in the 1990s. Although the early euphoria during the 'gold rush' in this field seems to have eased somewhat, there is still no limit to be seen for the future development of such methods. As a result of this extensive, recent research, there have been all estimated 8000 papers published on the subject [2-14]. To collate these data as a kind of 'super-review' would clearly be an impossible task and, furthermore, such a hypothetical book would be unpalatable for the non-expert.

The use of natural catalysts - enzymes - for the transformation of non-natural is not at all new: they have been used for more man-made organic compounds than one hundred years, employed either as whole cells, cell organelles or isolated enzymes [1]. Certainly, the object of most of the early research was totally different from that of the present day. Thus the elucidation of biochemical pathways and enzyme mechanisms was in the foreground of the reasearch some decades ago. It was mainly during the 1980s that the enormous potential of applying natural catalysts to transform non-natural organic compounds was recognized. What started as a trend in the late 1970s could almost be called a fashion in synthetic organic chemistry in the 1990s. Although the early euphoria during the 'gold rush' in this field seems to have eased somewhat, there is still no limit to be seen for the future development of such methods. As a result of this extensive, recent research, there have been an estimated 5000 papers published on the subject [2]. To collate these data as a kind of 'super-review' would clearly be an impossible task and, furthermore, such a hypothetical book would be unpalatable for the non-expert.

Biocatalysts are increasingly used by chemists engaged in fine chemical synthesis within both industry and academia. Today, there exists a huge choice of high-tech enzymes and whole cell biocatalysts, which add enormously to the repertoire of synthetic possibilities. Practical Methods for Biocatalysis and Biotransformations 3 will be a companion book to Practical Methods for Biocatalysis and Biotransformations (2009) and Practical Methods for Biocatalysis and Biotransformations 2 (2012). Following the successful format of the two volumes, it will be a “how-to” guide focusing on commercially available enzymes and strains of microorganisms that are readily obtained from culture collections. The source of starting materials and reagents, hints, tips and safety advice (where appropriate) will be given to ensure, as far as possible, that the procedures are reproducible. Comparisons to alternative methodology will be given and relevant references to the primary literature will be cited. Contents include: Biotransformation Process Technology Industrial Biooxidation Hydrolase catalysed hydrolysis/synthesis Reduction Oxidation Halogenation Transferase catalysed glycosylation, methylation, etc C-C bond formation Tandem Biocatalytic Reactions Practical Methods for Biocatalysis and Biotransformations, Volume 3 is an essential collection of validated biocatalytic methods which will find a place on the bookshelves of synthetic organic chemists, pharmaceutical chemists, and process R&D chemists in industry and academia.

This text is part of the Biochemical and Medicinal Chemistry Series Series Editor: John Mann, Professor of Organic Chemistry, University of Reading The aim of this series of short textbooks is to present full accounts of topics which are at the interface of chemistry and biology, from medicinal chemistry to molecular biology. The topics chosen for inclusion are popular subjects for upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate modular courses, and yet they receive inadequate coverage in traditional textbooks of organic chemistry and of biochemistry. Each text in the series provides a concise and up to date introduction to its subject in an attractive format. Biotransformations utilize biological systems to carry out chemical transformations. The use of both isolated enzymes and whole organisms in biotransformations is considered . Such processes are playing an increasingly important role in both the research laboratory and in industry because biotransformations occur under mild, 'environmentally friendly' conditions and they have a selectivity which often differs from that encountered with syntheses using traditional laboratory reagents.This accessible introduction to this growing field provides an up-to-date account of those situations in which biotransformations may present viable alternatives to purely chemical synthetic routes or be used in a complimentary manner to chemical reagents in a multi-step organic synthesis. Dr Hanson's concise introduction tothis burgeoning field covers, in addition to enzymatic and microbial methods, the biotransformation of drugs in humans. It is suitable as a course text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of chemistry and the biomedical sciences. No previous knowledge of biotransformations is assumed.

Industrial Biotransformations - a user-friendly and application-oriented up-to-date overview of one-step biotransformations of industrial importance. The data conferring each process is arranged in a convenient format to survey so that the processes can easily be compared. Each set of data is accompanied by key literature citations. As far as flow sheets of the processes are available, these are given reduced to their significant elements. An extensive index classified by substrates, products, enzymes, and companies provides direct access to each process organized in the order of enzyme classes. The reader will find all significant parameters characterizing the biotransformation itself and the process.