Biotransformation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-001335",
  "term": "Biotransformation",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A change in the chemical structure of a compound carried out by living cells or by enzyme preparations isolated from them. The substrate is altered rather than built up from simple precursors, which separates the process from biosynthesis. Examples are the oxidation of drugs by liver cytochrome P450 enzymes and the microbial breakdown of pollutants, and chemists also use whole cells or purified enzymes to carry out selective steps in drug synthesis.",
  "synonyms": [
    "bioconversion"
  ],
  "subject": "Chemistry and the Environment",
  "see_also": [
    "enzymes"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 148 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/biotransformation/"
}