Process design implications of aldehyde properties on transketolase-catalysed condensations

Recently we have devised a systematic approach to selection and operation o f biotransformation reactions. Such an approach is based on reaction charac terisation leading to the identification of constraints and subsequent proc ess synthesis. In this paper we illustrate how this approach can be applied to a model system (condensation of glycolaldehyde with beta-hydroxypyruvat e by transketolase to synthesise L-erythrulose) as the basis for rapidly ev aluating a second system with different aldehyde properties (condensation o f racemic 3-oxy-benzylglyceraldehyde with beta-hydroxypyruvate to synthesis e (3S,4R)-5-oxy-benzyl-D-xylulose). Some general conclusions are drawn.