title: New substrates for reliable enzymes: enzymatic modification of polymers.
abstract: Recent studies clearly indicate that the modification of synthetic and natural polymers with enzymes is an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical methods using harsh conditions. New processes using lipases, proteases, nitrilases and glycosidases have been developed for the specific non-destructive functionalization of polymer surfaces. The specificity of enzymes has also been exploited in polymer synthesis; for example, lipases have been used for the production of optically active polyesters. Oxidoreductases have been used for the cross-linking and grafting of lignaceous materials and for the production of polymers from phenolics. Recent successes in this area are mainly attributable to advances in the design of reaction systems (e.g. biphasic systems and micellar solutions), while the enzymes are mainly from commercial sources.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Applied Biocatalysis, c/o Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, 8010, Graz, Austria. guebitz@tugraz.at
authors.forename: Georg M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gübitz
authors.forename: Artur Cavaco
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Paulo
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004798:Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D011108:Polymers; D011134:Polysaccharides