White & grey biotechnologies for shaping a sustainable future

Abstract

Biocatalysis plays a prominent role in both white and grey biotechnologies. Some well-known and a few lesser-known developments in biocatalysis have made it align even better with principles of green chemistry and green engineering and hence contributed to both white and grey biotechnologies in shaping a sustainable future. These include more efficient production of enzymes, use of process intensification techniques such as microwaves, ultrasonics, high pressure and flow catalysis. The market size of enzymes was estimated to be about USD 12.3 billion in 2022. Discovery of enzyme non-specificity as seen in their moonlighting and promiscuous behaviour has far-reaching consequences in biotechnology. The important roles of biocatalysis in production of biodiesel and bioethanol; valorization of whey and food waste in general are discussed. The waste generated in processing of coffee beans and coffee brewing, pegged globally at 10 million tons each year, deserves more attention as a part of the biorefinery concept.