title: Biotransformations of rifamycins: process possibilities.
abstract: Rifampicin, an important antibiotic, is manufactured by chemical conversion of rifamycin S which is obtained by the chemical modification of rifamycin B. Rifamycin B is a product of Nocardia mediterranei fermentations. The chemical conversion of rifamycin B to rifamycin S has many disadvantages: Strong acidic conditions are required, heavy foam formation accompanies transformation and the yields are low. This review highlights the developments in alternative, biochemical transformations using enzymes and cells; the main focus is on transformations carried out by rifamycin oxidase.
authors.affiliation: Biochemical Engineering Research and Process Development Centre, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: U C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chisti