THE CYCLODEXTRINS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Cyclodextrins and their derivatives enhance the solubility of complexed substrates in aqueous media, but do not damage the microbial cells or the enzymes. Therefore the enzymatic conversion of lipophilic substrates can be intensified (accelerated, or performed at higher substrate concentrations). Examples are the hydrolysis of triglycerides and lanatoside glycosides or the conversion of hydrocortisone to prednisolon and of cholesterol to androstenedione. In the presence of an appropriate cyclodextrin-derivative (e.g. 2,6-dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin). The lipid-like inhibitor substances are complexed, therefore the propagation of Bordatella pertussis and the production of pertussis toxin increases up to 100-fold. Cyclodextrins or their fatty acid complexes can substitute mammalian serum in tissue cultures. A highly soluble γ-cyclodextrin-nystatin complex can protect tissue cultures from fungal infections. The tolerance level to toxic compounds during biological detoxication of organic chemical industries sewage can be elevated by admixing small amounts of β-cyclodextrin to the system, because the complexed toxic substances do not kill the detoxicating microbes. © 1990.