Immobilization of microorganisms: application in reduction reactions of organic compounds containing chalcogens

• Grant number: 12/14429-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2012
• End date: October 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: João Valdir Comasseto
• Grantee: Lenilson Coutinho da Rocha
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/55401-1 - Preparation and application of chiral compounds containing chalcogens, AP.TEM

Abstract

This post-doctoral project has as a goal make enzymatic reactions of organic compounds containing chalcogenos using immobilized microbial cells in marine and terrestrial fungi in biopolymers (chitosan and microfibroina silk). The microbial cells when immobilized may confer greater stability to the biocatalyst, and enzymatic reactions can be performed on a larger scale. The reactions will be evaluated against the reduction temperature, pH and substrate concentration. The reactions are performed in conventional Erlenmeyer flasks and in flasks containing a container screen. Still be performed reactions with the immobilized cells in continuous flow to optimize the biotransformation. The immobilized cells will be preserved and reused to verify the feasibility of immobilization and the number of cycles of the biocatalyst. Control reactions are carried out, ie, the cells are not immobilized to compare the results. With these studies, we intend to obtain immobilized cells under appropriate conditions and allowing greater selectivity and reuse of these biocatalysts in the face of reactions catalyzed. (AU)