THE ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF L-CYSTINE AND L-CYSTEINE .2. ELECTROSYNTHESISOF L-CYSTEINE AT SOLID ELECTRODES

The industrial uses of L-cysteine are summarized and alternative synth esis routes are critically considered. The electrosynthesis of L-cyste ine free base and the acid salt form of the product at solid electrode s are reviewed. The performance of several flow-through parallel plate cell designs is shown to be very dependent upon the electrolysis cond itions. The role of current density and the rate of mass transport in the cells is discussed. It is seen that the choice of electrode materi al, the flow conditions within the cell, the provision of turbulence p romoters and the operating current density are critical factors in obt aining a high fractional conversion and a high current efficiency with a reasonable electrolytic power consumption.