Question

Microbial Biotransformation: A Process for Chemical Alterations

Answer 1

Journal of Bacteriology & Mycology: Open Access

Microbial Biotransformation: A Process for Chemical

Alterations

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Introduction



compound by organisms /enzyme systems that lead to the

formation of molecules with relatively greater polarity [1,2].

This mechanism has been developed by microbes to acclimatize

to environmental changes and it is useful in a wide range of

       

biotransformation is that it maintains the original carbon skeleton

after obtaining the products [4].

Biotransformation is of two types: Enzymatic and Non-

enzymatic. Enzymatic are further divided into Microsomal

and Non-microsomal [5]. Enzymatic Elimination is the

biotransformation occurring due to various enzymes present in

the body. Microsomal biotransformation is caused by enzymes

present within the lipophilic membranes of smooth endoplasmic

reticulum [6]. Non-Microsomal Biotransformation involves the

enzymes which are present within the mitochondria. Examples

include: Alcohol dehydrogenase responsible for metabolism of

ethanol into acetaldehyde and Tyrosine hydrolases enzymes,

Xanthine oxidase converting hypoxanthine into xanthine

etc. Spontaneous, non-catalyzed and non-enzymatic types of

biotransformation are for highly active, unstable compounds

taking place at physiological pH. Some of these include

Chlorazepate converted into Desmethyl diazepam, Mustin HCl

converted into Ethyleneimonium, Atracurium converted into

Laudanosine and Quartenary acid, Hexamine converted into

Formaldehyde.

Microbial biotransformation is widely used in the

transformation of various pollutants or a large variety of

compounds including hydrocarbons, pharmaceutical substances

and metals [7]. These transformations can be congregated under

the categories: oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, isomerisation,

condensation, formation of new carbon bonds, and introduction of

functional groups [8]. For centuries microbial biotransformation

has proved to be an imperative tool in alleviating the production

of various chemicals used in food, pharmaceutical, agrochemical

and other industries.

       

biotransformation studies have been extensively applied to

investigate the metabolism of compounds using animal models [9].

The microbial biotransformation phenomenon is then commonly

employed in comparing metabolic pathways of drugs and scaling

up the metabolites of interest discovered in these animal models

for further pharmacological and toxicological evaluation [10].

The White biotechnology involves the use of microbial

biotransformation for generating products of interest [11]. Living

        

yeast and actinomycetes are used.

Microbial cells are ideal choice for biotransformation due to

certain reasons like:

I. Surface-volume ratio: Microbial biotransformation has high

surface-volume ratio.

II. Growth Rate: Higher growth rate of microbial cells reduces

the time of biomass transformation.

III. Metabolism Rate: Higher rate of the metabolism in microbes



IV. Sterility: It is easier to maintain sterile conditions when

microbes are used [12].

Procedure for Biotransformation

Vegetative cells, spores, resting cells, enzymes, and immobilized

cells/enzymes are generally used for microbial transformation


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