DESIGN AND KINETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A WHOLE-CELL PENICILLIN ACYLASE BIOCATALYST USING ESCHERICHIA-COLI

The design and characterization of a biocatalyst with whole cells of E . coli containing penicillin acylase activity were carried out. The bi ocatalyst was prepared by gel entrapment using a two-phase dispersion system consisting of a suspension of cells and agar in oil. The cataly st was characterized in terms of its kinetic and diffusional propertie s as a function of particle size, as well as its storage and operation al stability. An economical analysis of the process was taken as the b asis for a rational design of a genetic engineering programme to impro ve the specific activity of the biocatalyst.