Polymers from biocatalysts

Recently, there has been great interest in enzyme-catalyzed polymer synthesis, particularly as an alternative to conventional polymer chemistry. Highly specific and stable biocatalysts can result in increased yields and reduced capital requirements and production costs. Moreover, the use of biocatalysts can minimize the formation of unwanted byproducts and thus reduce separation cost. Enzymatic synthesis of polymer is especially preferred when molecular regularity such as stereoselectivity or regiospecificity is required. In this article, the use of enzymes in polymer synthesis is discussed together with potential applications.