Revolutionizing biocatalysis: A review on innovative design and applications of enzyme-immobilized microfluidic devices

Integrating microfluidic devices and enzymatic processes in biocatalysis is a rapidly advancing field with promising applications. This review explores various facets, including applications, scalability, techno-commercial implications, and environmental consequences. Enzyme-embedded microfluidic devices offer advantages such as compact dimensions, rapid heat transfer, and minimal reagent consumption, especially in pharmaceutical optically pure compound synthesis. Addressing scalability challenges involves strategies for uniform flow distribution and consistent residence time. Incorporation with downstream processing and biocatalytic reactions makes the overall process environmentally friendly. The review navigates challenges related to reaction kinetics, cofactor recycling, and techno-commercial aspects, highlighting cost-effectiveness, safety enhancements, and reduced energy consumption. The potential for automation and commercial-grade infrastructure is discussed, considering initial investments and long-term savings. The incorporation of machine learning in enzyme-embedded microfluidic devices advocates a blend of experimental and in-silico methods for optimization. This comprehensive review examines the advancements and challenges associated with these devices, focusing on their integration with enzyme immobilization techniques, the optimization of process parameters, and the techno-commercial considerations crucial for their widespread implementation. Furthermore, this review offers novel insights into strategies for overcoming limitations such as design complexities, laminar flow challenges, enzyme loading optimization, catalyst fouling, and multi-enzyme immobilization, highlighting the potential for sustainable and efficient enzymatic processes in various industries.