title: Biocatalysis in organic chemistry (Part I): Past and present.
abstract: Methods used in the manufacture of both ethanol and ascorbic acid have been developed over the past 150 years. The early stages of the development of both processes were characterized by the interaction between chemists, biologists and engineers, but social and economic influences also played their part. The history of these two examples illustrates the diversity of skills and influences needed for the application of biological catalysis to large-scale chemical manufacture.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000091:Acetobacter / Q000737:chemistry; D000681:Amylases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000266:history; D001515:Beer / Q000266:history / Q000382:microbiology; D001711:Biotransformation; D002384:Catalysis; D002625:Chemistry, Organic / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D004798:Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000266:history*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D007218:Industrial Microbiology / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D000431:Ethanol; D000681:Amylases; D001205:Ascorbic Acid