Biotransformation von Fettsubstraten

This invention relates to a process for enzymic oxidation of a fatty acid to produce an oxidation product in the presence of water and oxygen characterised in that the fatty acid, water and enzyme for the oxidation are substantially uniformly distributed throughout a porous bed of solid support material in the substantial absence of a continous liquid phase, oxygen is passed through the porous bed and the oxidation product is recovered from the porous bed. The invention is of particular value for production of methyl ketones from saturated fatty acids. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also novel and comprises a sealable vessel (1) that can contain a porous bed 4 of solid support material, a gas inlet (12) for supplying oxygenating gas to the reactor, a gas outlet (13), passage means (7) defining a plurality of upwardly extending passages that can open along their length into the bed and that communicate with the inlet (12) and that are preferably spaced 5 to 20cm (preferably 5 to 15cm) apart, and means for forcing oxygenating gas through the inlet and along and out from the passages and into the bed.