ABSTRACT
For biotechnological purposes enzymes are used as biocatalysts to accelerate a desired reacdon to its end point As catalysts enzymes can catalyze a reacdon in both directions. Unfortunately the name of an enzyme given by the Enzyme Commission for the classification of enzymes, and biochemistry text books, stresses the function as a catalyst in one direction only. Hydrolases, a group of enzymes of considerable importance in biotechnology, also catalyze the reverse condensation reaction, a function with important synthetic applications. Proteases are used as catalysts for the condensation of peptides with other peptides or amino acids (insulin semi-synthesis; synthesis of other peptide hormones); lipases are used to catalyze the formation of lipids from alcohols and fatty acids. In these processes the enzyme is used to increase the rate of reaction to the end point of the reaction, which can be calculated from the equilibrium constant The latter cannot be influenced by the enzyme.
