Biotransformations in microstructured reactors: more than flowing with the stream?

The state of the art in the application of microstructured flow reactors for biocatalytic process research is reviewed. A microstructured reactor that is fully automated and analytically equipped presents a powerful screening tool with which to perform biocatalyst selection and optimization of process conditions at intermediary stages of process development. Enhanced mass transfer provided by the microstructured reactor can be exploited for process intensification, particularly during multiphase biocatalytic processing where mass transfer across phase boundaries is often limiting. Reversible immobilization of enzymes in microchannels remains a challenge for flexible realization of biotransformations in microstructured reactors. Compartmentalization in microstructured reactors could be useful in performing multistep chemoenzymatic conversions.