Large-scale preparation of a nitrile-hydrolysing biocatalyst: Rhodococcus R 312 (CBS 717.73)

Lyophilized cells of Rhodococcus R 312 (CBS 717.73) can be employed as an e asy-to-use biocatalyst for the biocatalytic hydrolysis of nitriles to furni sh the corresponding carboxamides or acids on a preparative scale. The foll owing practical aspects are advantageous: (i) Fermentation yields a high bi omass (similar to 10 g dry cell weight l(-1)), (ii) enzyme induction is not required, (iii) a maximum of activity is obtained at the late exponential growth phase (25.7 mu mol min(-1) mg(-1)), which can be monitored by a simp le photometic assay and (iv) the cells can be stored at +4 degrees C for se veral months without significant loss of activity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.