Dual-enzyme and NADPH co-embedded organic–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers prepared using biomimetic mineralization for the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-(−)-pantolactone

An effective biocatalytic cascade was developed by encapsulating a conjugated polyketone reductase (CPR), glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and the coenzyme NADP+ in organic–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers (hNFs) for the asymmetric reduction of ketopantolactone (KPL) to synthesize (R)-(−)-pantolactone [(R)-PL]. When CduCPR and TgGDH were confined in the SA-coated hNFs [CduCPR/TgGDH@Ca3(PO4)2], both of them had excellent reusability and high stability. Notably, the SA-coated hNF reactor successfully catalyzed the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-PL, which exhibited satisfactory stereoselectivity and promoted reusability in repeated batches. The SA coating functioned to competently immobilize the coenzyme NADP+ on the CduCPR/TgGDH@Ca3(PO4)2 hNFs, which maintained the maximum bioactivity to synthesize (R)-PL without exogenous coenzyme addition. Consequently, the facile immobilization method should be useful as a common approach for multi-enzyme cascade reactions and has potential applications in the biocatalytic industry.