Volume 61, Issue 45 e202211912
Research Article

Co-compartmentalization of Enzymes and Cofactors within Pickering Emulsion Droplets for Continuous-Flow Catalysis

Wei Wei

Wei Wei

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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Dr. Rammile Ettelaie

Dr. Rammile Ettelaie

Food Colloids Group, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK

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Xiaoming Zhang

Xiaoming Zhang

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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Min Fan

Min Fan

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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Yue Dong

Yue Dong

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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Dr. Zebiao Li

Dr. Zebiao Li

Nantong Chanyoo Pharmatech Co., Ltd., Nantong, 226400 China

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Prof. Hengquan Yang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Hengquan Yang

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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First published: 16 September 2022
Citations: 34

Graphical Abstract

A continuous-flow biocatalytic system based on the co-compartmentalization of enzymes and cofactors within Pickering emulsion droplets has been developed. As exemplified by enzyme-catalyzed ketone enantioselective reduction and enantioselective transamination, this system features long-term operational stability, excellent catalytic efficiency and no need for exogenous cofactors.

Abstract

Co-immobilization of enzymes and cofactors in a manner suitable for use in continuous flow catalysis remains a great challenge because of the difficulty in ensuring the free accessibility of immobilized enzymes and cofactors. Herein, we present a continuous flow catalysis system based on co-compartmentalization of enzymes and cofactors within Pickering emulsion droplets, enabling regeneration of cofactors within the droplets. As exemplified by enzyme-catalyzed ketone enantioselective reduction and enantioselective transamination, our systems exhibit long-term stability (300–400 h), outstanding total turnover number (TTN, 59204 mol mol−1) and several-fold enhancement in the enzyme catalytic efficiency (CEe) in comparison to conventional biphasic reactions. As well as giving insight into the co-compartmentalization effects, our system will provide the opportunity to significantly advance continuous-flow biocatalysis towards the level of practical applications.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

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