ABSTRACT
Enzymes are the catalysts of many occurring chemical reactions in living organisms. In vitro, these heterogeneous catalysts can be used to selectively catalyze these chemical and similar reactions under mild conditions. Some enzyme-catalyzed processes are already being implemented in the food industry, but it is expected that there are more to come not only in the food industry but the chemical industry as well (Lalonde, 1997). This paper starts with an introduction on biocatalysis using enzymes, then briefly summarizes two commercial processes, and finally presents an overview of the research on enzymatic synthesis in food additives conducted in the authors’ laboratory at Wageningen Agricultural University.
