Biocatalysis has an established role in the manufacture of organic chemicals: glucose isomerase catalyses the manufacture of about 8 x 10(6) tonnes of isoglucose each year, and the annual output of many other reactions exceeds 10(3) tonnes. However, there is a need for a more-varied range of catalysts, and future developments in polymer synthesis may lead to the creation of enzymes that display broader specificity and selectivity. Whether catalysts are isolated from natural sources or are produced chemically, the engineering required to create an efficient and economic process is crucial. New developments should allow the technology to extend well beyond its present base in the pharmaceutical industry.
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