Polyunsaturated fatty acids .2. Biotransformations and biotechnological applications

The realization of the important biomedical roles of polyunsaturated fatty acids has led to the development of methods for obtaining and manipulating polyunsaturated lipids. Enzyme-mediated reactions have demonstrated unique advantages over chemical approaches and commercial lipase-and phospholipase-catalysed processes have been developed to address the mid-to high-value polyunsaturated-lipid market. Research over the past two decades has also highlighted the broad spectrum of bioactive products derived from the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The potential of these compounds in the flavour, fragrance, pharmaceutical and fine-chemical arenas has encouraged the elaboration of biotransformation strategies based on isolated enzymes and whole cells.