The prospects for peroxidase-based biorefining of petroleum fuels

Abstract

Peroxidases have many potential uses for biotechnological processes. In this review, peroxidase-catalyzed reactions potentially applicable to the petroleum industry are described. Although peroxidases are attractive catalysts for desulfurization, aromatic oxidation and asphaltene transformation, there are important issues that must be overcome before any industrial application can be considered. The opportunities and challenges of enzymatic petroleum biorefining are documented and discussed, with emphasis on the available tools to design a biocatalyst with appropriate performance for the oil and other industries.

• Petroleum biorefining
• peroxidase
• biocatalysis
• desulfurization
• biocracking
• oxidative inactivation