Development of bioreactors for application of biocatalysts in biotransformations and bioremediation

Biotransformation systems, whether used for environmentally benign biocatal ysis of synthetic reactions, or bioremediation of pollutants, require suita ble biocatalysts and suitable bioreactor systems with particular characteri stics. Our research focuses on the bioconversion of organic compounds, many of which are industrial residues, such as phenols, polyaromatic hydrocarbo ns, heterocyclic compounds, and polychlorinated biphenyls. The purpose of s uch biotransformations can be twofold: firstly to remove them from effluent s and convert them to less toxic forms, and secondly, to convert them into products with economic value. We conduct research in utilizing various isol ated-enzyme and whole-cell biological agents, bioreactors, including novel membrane bioreactors, are used as a means of supporting/immobilizing, and h ence applying, these biocatalysts in continuous systems. in addition, the e nzyme systems are characterized biochemically, to provide information which is required in mollification, adaptation, and scale-up of the bioreactors. The paper summarizes research on application of biofilms of fungal and bac terial cells and their enzymes, including hydrolases, polyphenol oxidase, p eroxidase and laccase, in bioreactor systems including continuously operati ng membrane bioreactors.