AUTHORS
J. Guyang Ling, H. Breuer, H. Stolterfoht-Stock, F. Abu Bakar, M. Winkler: Special Collection: Women in Catalysis 2024.
CHEMCATCHEM, 2025, ChemCatChem 2025, e20240199
This study delves into the promising realm of NADH-driven enzymatic carboxylic acid reduction, a pivotal transformation in the field of industrial biotechnology. We present a comprehensive investigation focusing on the biocatalytic potential of enzymes that utilize the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to facilitate the reduction of carboxylic acids to their corresponding aldehydes and alcohols. This enzymatic route offers a sustainable and environmentally benign alternative to traditional chemical methods, which often involve harsh reaction conditions and generate substantial waste.
Our research explores the substrate scope, efficiency, and selectivity of selected NADH-dependent enzymes, highlighting their applicability in the synthesis of valuable compounds like key intermediates in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical industries as well as flavor and fragrance compounds. Furthermore, we investigate the influence of reaction parameters, including pH and temperature on the overall performance of the biocatalytic system. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge in biocatalysis and pave the way for the development of more sustainable and efficient processes for the production of important chemical building blocks. The demonstrated efficiency and selectivity of NADH-driven enzymatic carboxylic acid reduction hold significant promise for the advancement of green chemistry principles within industrial biotechnology, offering a pathway towards cleaner and more sustainable manufacturing practices.
This research not only expands the repertoire of available biocatalytic transformations but also provides a foundation for the future design and implementation of novel enzymatic processes for the synthesis of a wide range of valuable chemicals.