Biokatalizatory i biopolimery w aspekcie zrównoważonej chemii

The rapid development of industry, apart from the obvious benefits, also leads to a significant increase in the level of environmental pollution, which is related not only to the use of harmful substances in the production process, but also to the production of significant amounts of by-products and wastes, which pose a serious threat to the environment as well as to the health and the life of living organisms. There is therefore a need to limit the use of toxic substances at every stage of production, and where this is not possible, appropriate waste management and the development of effective methods of harmful substances removal. In this respect, it seems crucial to introduce the principles of Green Chemistry as widely as possible. Green Chemistry is a concept whose main assumptions focus on designing and conducting chemical processes in a way that minimizes the use and formation of harmful substances as much as possible. This staretgy is based on twelve principles that overlap with the main assumptions of environmental chemistry to improve environmental protection and reduce pollution. There are many techniques and methods that fit into the assumptions of the broadly understood Green Chemistry, the implementation of which allows for sustainable management of post-production waste and by-products as well as their effective disposal. One of such concepts assumes the use of waste substances as a valuable raw material, not only for energy, but above all as a precursor and/or component for the production of innovative materials with high utility potential. Another idea is the use of enzymes, i.e. natural biocatalysts that allow chemical transformations to be carried out under mild process conditions, without the need to use harmful solvents. What's more, enzymes can be used not only at the stage of conversion/synthesis of substrates, but they can also be efficient tools for removing harmful substances. Hence, it seems necessary to undertake attempts aimed at the widest possible management of waste substances, as well as conduct research, the effect of which is the production of functional biocatalytic systems for various applications.