ABSTRACT
Catalytic activity of enzymes has been known since the beginning of human civilization with the fermentation of sugar to ethanol by yeasts, a reaction that forms the basis of beer and wine manufacture. However, in the past half century, our increasing understanding of molecular structure and function has enabled us to design processes that utilize the enormous capacity provided by these naturally evolved catalytic systems. The estimated value of the world enzyme market is around US $1.3 billion and is forecasted to grow to almost US $2 billion by 2005. The main industries, which utilize enzymes, are detergents (34%), textiles (11%), starch (12%), baking (5%), animal feed (7%), beverages and brewing (7%), dairy processes (14%), and other uses (9%) (Figure 1). The major producers of commercial enzymes are Novo-Nordisk (Denmark) and Gist Brocades (Belgium), who cover about 40 and 20% of the market, respectively. Other companies such as Rohm (Germany), Miles (United States), and Hansens (The Netherlands) also have a significant market share. The current world market for industrial enzymes is over US $650 million per year (Waites et al. 2001).
