Abstract
Bioconversions of lipids and their related compounds catalyzed by microbial cells in organic solvents are reviewed historically. First, characteristics involved in such biochemical reaction systems are summarized by combining the idea of reactions catalyzed by enzymatically active resting or dead cells with the idea of biochemical reactions in organic solvents. Such reaction systems are then classified broadly into two ; those by wet cells and those by dry cells, and each is subdivided into two ; by freely suspended cells and immobilized cells. Various biochemical reactions reported so far in these four categories (suspended wet cells, immobilized wet cells, suspended dry cells and immobilized dry cells) are introduced to review. Prerequisites are made clear to realize these reactions industrially. Importance of moisture control is emphasized for the case of utilization of dry cells. Prospects are mentioned for this area by suggesting bothfinding social needs and screening microorganisms having greater activities.
