ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of how deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are emerging as an alternative medium or co-solvents for various enzyme classes to develop more sustainable processes. These neoteric solvents are simple and cost-effective to produce, retain low volatility and flammability, and are less toxic than classical ionic liquids (ILs). The chapter discusses the use of DESs in biocatalytic processes with hydrolases, the most widely reported enzyme class used with the (co)solvents, followed by the research on oxidoreductases, lyases, and whole-cell biocatalysis. It focuses on the main organic synthetic transformations reported using hydrolase-catalyzed reactions in DESs, rather than disclosing extensive discussions about the stability and kinetic studies of enzymes in model reactions. The chapter summarizes the contributions reported in the literature that employed DESs as suitable media or co-solvents for conventional hydrolase-catalyzed reactions. It explores the role of DESs as co-solvents for biotransformations in aqueous media, such as ester or epoxide hydrolysis.
