In the current environment of heightened global concern over environmental issues, bio-based chemicals and enzymes are limited examples where sustainable innovation has prevailed. They have great economic potential and ecological gains being produced using cheaper, renewable biological sources instead of toxic petrochemicals.
Bio-based chemicals are derived from renewable sources such as plants, algae or microorganisms instead of fossil fuel. It contrasts with traditional chemical production, which is largely derived from energy-intensive processes that have an environmental impact by releasing pollutants. For example, bioethanol — a typical bio-based chemical produced from the sugar fermentation of crops such as corn and sugarcane. This also helps ecosystem, on the grounds that when crops are turned into fuel to create bio diesel/gasoline it can reduce green gas emission in our atmosphere while providing a new market for farmers especially those growing non-subsidized more efficient energy produce.
At the top of this transformation are enzymes, which act like biological turbochargers — rapidly accelerating chemical reactions. As it turns out, the same proteins required for vast array of biological functions can be put to use in industrial applications aimed at making production processes more efficient and less reliant on harsh chemicals. As an example, cellulases are added to cotton fibers in the textile industry cellulosic material and they break down the glycoside bond of 1-4 beta linked glucose molecules which is part of a fabric fiber structure (cotton) allowing fabrics made from these cellulose based substances with fewer chemicals than close partners. In food processing, for instance, enzymes help break starch into sugar — increasing the sweetness and mouthfeel of products with less reliance on synthetic additives. It is about the use of bio-based chemicals and enzymes.
Well, going bio has its own share of challenges as well. Most of the production processes entail high up-front costs and technological advances. Moreover, the logistical and economic challenges of scaling bio-based solutions to the global level are considerable. Never the less, they are little in comparison to what can be gained. Moving forward overcoming these hurdles will require further advancements in research and development, support from policy makers as well the adoption of this technology by the masses. Finally, bio-based chemicals and enzymes are a game changer in sustainability. These new developments provide sustainable solutions for managing green investments that aids in the reduction of environmental impact and generation on economical growth by using renewable resources and natural response. With the new era of environmental care we are breaking into and tech intelligence is on a sharp rise, adopting bio-based solutions will be largely composed in driving our world greener.

Manvi Thakur

University/College name : Rajkiya Kanya Mahavidyalaya (RKMV), Longwood Road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh