Chapter 5
Appendix
5.1 Basic Rules for Handling Biocatalysts
Like with chemical catalysts, a few guidelines should be observed with biocatalysts
to preserve activity and to handle them safely. Depending on the formulation –
liquid, lyophilized, spray-dried, immobilized – different rules apply. Enzymes are
often perceived as unstable and delicate entities, however, when treated in the right
way, they can be as sturdy as almost any chemical catalyst. For optimal stability,
enzyme preparations are usually stored best in their original commercial form,
either as lyophilizate, spray-dried powder or (stabilized) liquid formulation.
Safety
Direct contact with enzymes should be avoided. This is particularly important with
respect to the inhalation of aerosols (from liquid formulations) or protein dust from
lyophilized or spray-dried protein preparations. Depending on the person, the
tendency to develop allergies (itching, red stains) can be very different. However,
the development of health problems due to contact with cell-free protein formulations is extremely unlikely.
When working with whole (viable) cells, make sure you find out to which safety
class the organism belongs before you start. Microorganisms are classified into four
safety categories (Classes 1–4): Class 1 organisms, such as baker’s yeast, and the
vast majority of microorganisms described in this book are generally regarded as
safe and special precautions are not required. On the other hand, cells belonging to
Class 2 may cause infections (particularly if the immune system is damaged due to
an already present infection) and should be handled with care in a laminar-flow
cabinet. Every good culture collection provides reasonably reliable information on
the safety classification of their microorganisms. When working with your own
isolates, you should definitely obtain some information on the health hazards of
your strains. For instance, this can be performed at reasonable cost at a culture
collection, e.g., at DSMZ (see Sect. 5.5).
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
K. Faber, Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-61590-5_5
415
Appendix
5.1 Basic Rules for Handling Biocatalysts
Like with chemical catalysts, a few guidelines should be observed with biocatalysts
to preserve activity and to handle them safely. Depending on the formulation –
liquid, lyophilized, spray-dried, immobilized – different rules apply. Enzymes are
often perceived as unstable and delicate entities, however, when treated in the right
way, they can be as sturdy as almost any chemical catalyst. For optimal stability,
enzyme preparations are usually stored best in their original commercial form,
either as lyophilizate, spray-dried powder or (stabilized) liquid formulation.
Safety
Direct contact with enzymes should be avoided. This is particularly important with
respect to the inhalation of aerosols (from liquid formulations) or protein dust from
lyophilized or spray-dried protein preparations. Depending on the person, the
tendency to develop allergies (itching, red stains) can be very different. However,
the development of health problems due to contact with cell-free protein formulations is extremely unlikely.
When working with whole (viable) cells, make sure you find out to which safety
class the organism belongs before you start. Microorganisms are classified into four
safety categories (Classes 1–4): Class 1 organisms, such as baker’s yeast, and the
vast majority of microorganisms described in this book are generally regarded as
safe and special precautions are not required. On the other hand, cells belonging to
Class 2 may cause infections (particularly if the immune system is damaged due to
an already present infection) and should be handled with care in a laminar-flow
cabinet. Every good culture collection provides reasonably reliable information on
the safety classification of their microorganisms. When working with your own
isolates, you should definitely obtain some information on the health hazards of
your strains. For instance, this can be performed at reasonable cost at a culture
collection, e.g., at DSMZ (see Sect. 5.5).
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
K. Faber, Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-61590-5_5
415