Chemo-Enzymatic Cascades for Integrated Lignocellulose Valorization: Catalyst Design, Compatibility Bottlenecks and Reactor Intensification
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- 2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
- 3Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- 4Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- 5Department of Chemistry, University of Gujrat, Gujrat 50700, Pakistan
Abstract
Efficient valorization of recalcitrant lignocellulosic biomass to platform chemicals and biofuels is needed for the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Conventional biorefineries are based on decoupled multi-step processes with energy penalties, interstage product loss, and product inhibition. Integrated chemo-enzymatic one-pot cascades constitute a paradigm shift in process intensification by combining biocatalytic selectivity with the fast kinetics of heterogeneous chemical catalysis. However, practical implementation is limited by compatibility bottlenecks such as different optimal temperatures, pH, solvent toxicity, and mutual deactivation of catalysts. This review critically examines recent advances in bridging these incompatible interfaces. We discuss catalyst design strategies centered on spatial compartmentalization within metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), mesoporous silica, magnetic nanocomposites, and Pickering emulsions. Furthermore, we examine solvent engineering using deep eutectic solvents and ionic liquids alongside continuous flow microfluidic and membrane bioreactors that overcome mass transfer limitations and product inhibition. Comparative benchmarking of synthetic routes for carbohydrate dehydration/hydrogenation and lignin oxidative depolymerization/funneling in terms of catalytic configurations, reaction modes and process performance is presented. Finally, techno-economic analyses and life cycle assessments indicate a potential 25–40% reduction in capital expenditure and over 70% net greenhouse gas savings. Future directions emphasize computational enzyme design and scalable flow reactor engineering to enable industrial translation.
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BibTeX
@article{farhan2026chemoenzymatic,
title = {{Chemo-Enzymatic Cascades for Integrated Lignocellulose Valorization: Catalyst Design, Compatibility Bottlenecks and Reactor Intensification}},
author = {Mohd Farhan and Asim Rizvi and Ghazala Muteeb and Mohammad Aatif and Zoya Khan and Muhammad Asam Raza},
journal = {Catalysts},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/catal16110955},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/16/11/955},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Chemo-Enzymatic Cascades for Integrated Lignocellulose Valorization: Catalyst Design, Compatibility Bottlenecks and Reactor Intensification
AU - Mohd Farhan
AU - Asim Rizvi
AU - Ghazala Muteeb
AU - Mohammad Aatif
AU - Zoya Khan
AU - Muhammad Asam Raza
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Catalysts
DO - 10.3390/catal16110955
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/16/11/955
AB - Efficient valorization of recalcitrant lignocellulosic biomass to platform chemicals and biofuels is needed for the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Conventional biorefineries are based on decoupled multi-step processes with energy penalties, interstage product loss, and product inhibition. Integrated chemo-enzymatic one-pot cascades constitute a paradigm shift in process intensification by combining biocatalytic selectivity with the fast kinetics of heterogeneous chemical catalysis. However, practical implementation is limited by compatibility bottlenecks such as different optimal temperatures, pH, solvent toxicity, and mutual deactivation of catalysts. This review critically examines recent advances in bridging these incompatible interfaces. We discuss catalyst design strategies centered on spatial compartmentalization within metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), mesoporous silica, magnetic nanocomposites, and Pickering emulsions. Furthermore, we examine solvent engineering using deep eutectic solvents and ionic liquids alongside continuous flow microfluidic and membrane bioreactors that overcome mass transfer limitations and product inhibition. Comparative benchmarking of synthetic routes for carbohydrate dehydration/hydrogenation and lignin oxidative depolymerization/funneling in terms of catalytic configurations, reaction modes and process performance is presented. Finally, techno-economic analyses and life cycle assessments indicate a potential 25–40% reduction in capital expenditure and over 70% net greenhouse gas savings. Future directions emphasize computational enzyme design and scalable flow reactor engineering to enable industrial translation.
SN - 2073-4344
ER -