Biocatalysis and Biotransformation

Biocatalysis:

Biocatalysis is defined as the use of natural substances that include enzymes from biological sources or whole cells to speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes have a pivotal role in the catalysis of hundreds of reactions that include the production of alcohols from fermentation and cheese by the breakdown of milk proteins. A biocatalyst is a substance (enzyme or hormone) that initiates or speeds up biochemical reactions. e.g.digestive enzymes like pepsin, trypsin, etc.

Biotransformation:

Biotransformation defines the chemical modification of chemicals such as nutrients, amino acids, toxins, and drugs in the body. It is also required to render non-polar compounds polar so that they are not reabsorbed in renal tubules and are expelled and it is a process by which a substance changes from one chemical to another by a chemical reaction inside the body. Metabolism or metabolic conversions are terms commonly used for the biotransformation process. The metabolism of a drug or toxin in a body is an example of biotransformation. The body typically assigns a foreign mixture by making it more water-soluble, to increase the rate of its elimination through the urine.