Asbjørn Toftgaard Pedersen

Bio: Asbjørn Toftgaard Pedersen is an academic researcher from Technical University of Denmark. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cofactor & Dehydrogenase. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 15 publications receiving 321 citations. Previous affiliations of Asbjørn Toftgaard Pedersen include Novozymes.

Application of NAD(P)H oxidase for cofactor regeneration in dehydrogenase catalyzed oxidations

Abstract: Biocatalytic oxidations can offer clear advantages compared to chemically catalyzed oxidations in terms of chemo, regio and stereoselectivity as well as a reduced environmental impact. One of the most industrially important reactions is the oxidation of alcohols, which can be carried out using alcohol dehydrogenases. However, their effective use requires an effective regeneration of the oxidized nicotinamide cofactor (NAD(P)+), which is critical for the economic feasibility of the process. NAD(P)H oxidase is an enzyme class of particular interest for this cofactor regeneration since it enables the use of molecular oxygen as a substrate, generating either water or hydrogen peroxide as a by-product. The use of these enzymes is now gaining an increased interest, and several different enzymes of both types have been applied for proof-of-concept. In this review, we give an overview of the state-of-the-art, and discuss several important issues for future implementation in a production process.

Batch production of FAEE-biodiesel using a liquid lipase formulation

Abstract: The application of lipase catalysis to the production of biodiesel has received much interest during the past several years. Although most of the previous work has involved the use of immobilized enzyme, more recent work has indicated that liquid formulations of lipase can provide a highly competitive option for the conversion of oils and fats to biodiesel. This study investigates the impact of several process parameters on the production of fatty acid ethyl esters from rapeseed oil in a pure batch process on the liquid lipase formulation Callera™ Trans L. Oil conversion in excess of 98% was achieved by combining a 50% stoichiometric excess of ethanol (1.5 equivalents) with 20% (w/w) water relative to the oil. The rate of reaction was directly proportional to the amount of lipase added in this system (500–2000 LU per gram oil). Addition of glycerol to the initial reaction mixture reduced the initial reaction rate, but also improved the final yield of biodiesel by suppressing hydrolysis.

Automated Determination of Oxygen‐Dependent Enzyme Kinetics in a Tube‐in‐Tube Flow Reactor

Abstract: Enzyme-mediated oxidation is of particular interest to synthetic organic chemists. However, the implementation of such systems demands knowledge of enzyme kinetics. Conventionally collecting kinetic data for biocatalytic oxidations is fraught with difficulties such as low oxygen solubility in water and limited oxygen supply. Here, we present a novel method for the collection of such kinetic data using a pressurized tube-in-tube reactor, operated in the low-dispersed flow regime to generate time-series data, with minimal material consumption. Experimental development and validation of the instrument revealed not only the high degree of accuracy of the kinetic data obtained, but also the necessity of making measurements in this way to enable the accurate evaluation of high KMO enzyme systems. For the first time, this paves the way to integrate kinetic data into the protein engineering cycle.

Role of Biocatalysis in Sustainable Chemistry

Abstract: Based on the principles and metrics of green chemistry and sustainable development, biocatalysis is both a green and sustainable technology. This is largely a result of the spectacular advances in molecular biology and biotechnology achieved in the past two decades. Protein engineering has enabled the optimization of existing enzymes and the invention of entirely new biocatalytic reactions that were previously unknown in Nature. It is now eminently feasible to develop enzymatic transformations to fit predefined parameters, resulting in processes that are truly sustainable by design. This approach has successfully been applied, for example, in the industrial synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition to the use of protein engineering, other aspects of biocatalysis engineering, such as substrate, medium, and reactor engineering, can be utilized to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness and, hence, the sustainability of biocatalytic reactions. Furthermore, immobilization of an enzyme ...

Catalytic Conversion of Carbohydrates to Initial Platform Chemicals: Chemistry and Sustainability

Abstract: The replacement of fossil resources that currently provide more than 90% of our energy needs and feedstocks of the chemical industry in combination with reduced emission of carbon dioxide is one of the most pressing challenges of mankind. Biomass as a globally available resource has been proposed as an alternative feedstock for production of basic building blocks, which could partially or even fully replace the currently utilized fossil-based ones in well-established chemical processes. The destruction of lignocellulosic feed followed by oxygen removal from its cellulose and hemicellulose content by catalytic processes results in the formation of initial platform chemicals (IPCs). However, their sustainable production strongly depends on the availability of resources, their efficient or even industrially viable conversion processes, and replenishment time of feedstocks. Herein, we overview recent advances and developments in catalytic transformations of the carbohydrate content of lignocellulosic biomass ...

From lignocellulosic biomass to levulinic acid: A review on acid-catalyzed hydrolysis

Abstract: Catalytic conversion of renewable biomass to “green” chemicals and fuel additives has been extensively investigated in the past few decades. Interests on two top platform intermediates for biofuel production, i.e. levulinic acid (LA) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), have increased significantly. These two chemicals are generally produced from biomass through acid hydrolysis. This review summarizes the discoveries of the most recent studies on acid-catalyzed hydrolysis, including (i) biomass pretreatment, (ii) glucose production from cellulose hydrolysis, (iii) fructose formation from glucose isomerization, (iv) HMF formation from glucose/fructose dehydration and (v) LA production from HMF rehydration. Humins, the main byproducts, are also discussed in the aspect of their influence on the hydrolysis process, structure, formation mechanism, and applications.

Design of an in vitro biocatalytic cascade for the manufacture of islatravir

Abstract: Enzyme-catalyzed reactions have begun to transform pharmaceutical manufacturing, offering levels of selectivity and tunability that can dramatically improve chemical synthesis. Combining enzymatic reactions into multistep biocatalytic cascades brings additional benefits. Cascades avoid the waste generated by purification of intermediates. They also allow reactions to be linked together to overcome an unfavorable equilibrium or avoid the accumulation of unstable or inhibitory intermediates. We report an in vitro biocatalytic cascade synthesis of the investigational HIV treatment islatravir. Five enzymes were engineered through directed evolution to act on non-natural substrates. These were combined with four auxiliary enzymes to construct islatravir from simple building blocks in a three-step biocatalytic cascade. The overall synthesis requires fewer than half the number of steps of the previously reported routes.

Iconography : Carbohydrates as green raw materials for the chemical industry

Abstract: Abstract In view of the impending transition of chemical industry from depleting fossil raw materials to renewable feedstocks − the end of cheap oil is predicted for 2040 at the latest − this account gives an overview on chemically transforming low-molecular weight carbohydrates into products with versatile industrial application profiles and the potential to replace those presently derived from petrochemical sources. To cite this article: F.W. Lichtenthaler, S. Peters, C. R. Chimie 7 (2004).