title: Use of a batch-stirred reactor to rationally tailor biocatalytic polytransesterification.
abstract: Despite favorable thermodynamics, high-molecular weight and low-dispersity polyesters are difficult to synthesize biocatalytically in organic solvents. We have reported previously that the elimination of solvent can improve the kinetics and apparent equilibrium significantly (Chaudhary et al., 1997a). We now present the design and use of a batch-stirred enzyme reactor to control the biocatalytic polymerization. Using the reactor, polyester having a molecular weight of 23,400 Da and a polydispersity of 1.69 was synthesized in only 1 h at 60 degrees C. Additional factors like enzyme-deactivation kinetics, enzyme specificity, and initial exothermicity were investigated to develop a better understanding of this complex reaction system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA. ajrche+@pitt.edu
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lele
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lenart
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Beckman
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002072:Butylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002384:Catalysis; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008049:Lipase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002072:Butylene Glycols; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D011091:Polyesters; C039681:1,4-butanediol; D008049:Lipase