Biocatalysis for organic synthesis

• subjectSkills

  The main research activity of the group is devoted to enzyme-mediated synthesis of enantiopure building blocks, to be implemented in sustainable manufacturing processes of fine chemicals. The group has a long-standing experience in the use of biocatalysis (whole microbial cells and isolated enzymes) in organic synthesis, with specific applications in the field of chiral active pharmaceutical ingredients, phospholipids, amino acids, flavors and fragrances. The laboratory is fully equipped for standard organic synthesis, biocatalysis, chemo-enzymatic processes, analytical/preparative chromatography, and reactions in continuous flow.

  Main areas of scientific expertise of BiocatLab:

  • Biocatalysed synthesis of chiral biologically active molecules
  • Chemo-enzymatic valorization of waste (lignin, vegetable seed and olive oil)
  • Synthesis and characterization of phospholipids
  • GC and HPLC analysis of chiral compounds
  • Isolation/synthesis and characterization of impurities derived from fine chemical processes
  • Development of enzymatic processes in continuous flow mode
  • Biocatalyst immobilization

• subjectResearch activities

  BiocatLab is involved in the following projects with industrial partners:

  • Isolation/synthesis and characterization of impurities of active pharmaceutical ingredients and agrochemicals
  • Application of the SNIF-NMR technique for the assessment of the synthetic origin of flavors and drugs, as a tool for the identification of frauds and counterfeiting in food and pharma fields
  • Detailed characterization of components of food matrices
  • Development of chromatographic methods (HPLC/GC) for the analysis of chiral compounds;
  • Development of alternative, biocatalysed, syntheses of key intermediates for the pharmaceutical industry
  • Employment of food industry waste as a starting material for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of high-value building blocks

• peopleTemporary Research Fellow

  VALERIA DE FABRITIIS

  NATALE CRISAFULLI

  DAVIDE MAGGIONI

• peoplePhD

  LETIZIA ANNA MARIA ROSSATO

  CELESTE NOBBIO

  MARIA CRISTINA CANCELLIERI

  FABIO SANGALLI

• peopleOther personnel

  RAFFAELLA FERRACCIOLI

  MATTIA VALENTINO

  STEFANO SERRA

  GIUSEPPE PEDROCCHI FANTONI

  CLAUDIO FUGANTI

• linkKeywords

  Biobased materials

  Biocatalysis

  Biochemicals

  Biomass Transformation

  Biotechnologies

  Catalysis

  Chemical Kinetics

  Chemical Reaction Engineering

  Chiral Drugs

  Chromatographic Processes 

  Drug Delivery

  Flavors & Fragrances

  Flow chemistry

  Green Chemistry

  Health

  Homogeneous Catalysis

  Ionic Liquids

  Medicinal Chemistry

  NMR

  Organic Chemistry

  Organic Synthesis

  Polymers

  Renewable Sources

  Sustainable Chemistry

  Sustainable Processes