Regiospecific Conversion of Lipids and Fatty Acids through Enzymatic Cascade Reactions

Abstract

Biosynthesis of oleochemicals from lipids and fatty acids draws large attention due to growing interest in natural products and greener processes. Recent developments in biotransformation and biocatalysis based on synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and enzyme engineering enable us to enhance the quality as well as the spectrum of oleochemicals obtainable from biomass. This chapter describes emerging ideas and cutting-edge technologies to produce high-value oleochemicals from renewable lipids and fatty acids. Especially, the enzyme-based multistep biotransformation of long-chain fatty acids into medium-chain ω-hydroxycarboxylic, α,ω-dicarboxylic, and ω-aminocarboxylic acids are focused on. © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.