Enzymes -
Enzymes are proteins, which catalyse specific biochemical reactions in a very efficient manner. Enzymes have been used for thousands of years as crude animal and plant preparations or as whole microorganisms, which were allowed to grow on substrates.
The industrial production of enzymes dates back to 1894 when 'fungal taka diastase was marketed for pharmaceutical use. Initially, enzymes were produced by solid state fermentation, which is still used in Japan. But most current production processes are based on submerged cultures, which are effectively aerated; the O2 requirement is generally as high as that for antibiotics.
Most industrially important enzymes are extracellular, which makes their recovery from the broth relatively easier. A number of enzymes are produced on large scale and used in commercial operations.
