Biocatalysis in microstructured lyotropic liquid crystals

Biphasic liquid crystal systems consisting of organic solvent, water and surfactant are interesting media for biocatalysis in a non-aqueous environment. The application of such systems for the (S)-hydroxynitrile lyase catalyzed synthesis of (S)-mandelonitrile is demonstrated. Screening a favourable liquid crystal system is the first step. Experimental results of the influence of temperature, enzyme and substrate concentration on the kinetics are presented. Interactions of the three-dimensional liquid crystalline immobilization matrix and the mass transfer and biochemical reaction kinetics are shown. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.