Eutectogels as Promising Materials in Biocatalysis

The entrapment of deep eutectic solvents (DES) and eutectic systems into porous scaffolds renders a new class of soft and nonvolatile materials called eutectogels that have recently stepped into the spotlight in different areas ranging from electronics to drug delivery. Recent progress in the use of DES in biocatalysis, where they have been demonstrated to improve substrate supply, conversion, and enzyme stability, has opened an unparalleled opportunity to exploit the merits of eutectogels for immobilizing biological catalysts. The resulting functional materials could outperform traditional hydrogels and ionic liquid gels, offering fresh perspectives to broaden the application scope of many enzymes. In this perspective, we go into the potential of eutectogels as innovative scaffolds that support biocatalytic reactions and discuss different applications where these systems could show plain benefits compared to traditional materials. Future directions for this newly developed technology are highlighted. This perspective briefly summarizes the panorama of deep eutectic solvents in biocatalysis and discusses the opportunities to advance these two technologies for creating innovative hybrid soft materials combining eutectogels and enzymes. It is envisioned that a new field, “Eutectozymes”, will probably arise in the next few years with tremendous potential in several biocatalytic, biomedical, and biosensing applications.