Use of molecularly imprinted polymers in a biotransformation process.
Molecularly imprinted polymers are highly stable and can be sterilised, making them ideal for use in biotransformation process. In this communication, we describe a novel application of molecularly imprinted polymers in an enzymatic reaction. The enzymatic condensation of Z-L-aspartic acid with L-phenylalanine methyl ester to give Z-L-Asp-L-Phe-OMe (Z-aspartame) was chosen as a model system to evaluate the applicability of using molecularly imprinted polymers to facilitate product formation. When the product-imprinted polymer is present, a considerable increase (40%) in product yield is obtained. Besides their use to enhance product yields, as demonstrated here, we suggest that imprinted polymers may also find use in the continuous removal of toxic compounds during biochemical reactions.
Pure and Applied Biochemistry, Chemical Center, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, S-22100 Lund, Sweden.
L
L
Ye
O
O
Ramström
R J
RJ
Ansell
M O
MO
Månsson
K
K
Mosbach
D001218:Aspartame / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D001711:Biotransformation; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013820:Thermolysin / Q000378:metabolism
D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; C008384:methacrylic acid; C034515:phenylalanine methyl ester; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D010649:Phenylalanine; D013820:Thermolysin; D001218:Aspartame