Photo-Enzymatic Green Synthesis: The Potential of Combining Photo-Catalysis and Enzymes

In nature, photoautotroph organisms are capable of converting solar energy into chemical energy. Inspired by this phenomenon, natural photosynthesis could serve as an inspiration for the generation of artificial photosynthetic platforms. In particular, connecting photo-catalysis with biocatalysis can provide an efficient biotransformation system, which is highly selective and environmentally benign. In this chapter, the photo-catalytic pathways involved have been discussed in detail. Further, the structural and catalytic mechanisms of enzymes involved in light-driven catalysis are categorized. Moreover, the chapter highlights the incorporation of nanoparticles in the photo-catalytic system as an enzyme activator to make the process efficient and cost-effective. The application of photo-biocatalysis in various biotransformations has been explained with the state-of-the-art examples in halogenations, decarboxylation, and epoxidation. The chapter mainly focuses on the enzymes associated with light-driven catalysis along with the probable mechanism involved. Several applications of enzyme-assisted photo-catalysis while exploring the correlation of factors affecting the overall process are comprehensively explored. Finally, strategies for the large-scale implementation of photobiocatalyst for the production of a variety of chemicals via biological route are briefly discussed.