Characterisation of nitrilase and nitrile hydratase biocatalytic systems

Biocatalytic transformations converting aromatic and arylaliphatic nitriles into the analogous related amide or acid were investigated. These studies included synthesis of the beta-substituted nitrile 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionitrile, subsequent enrichment and isolation on this substrate of nitrile-degrading microorganisms from the environment, and a comparative study of enzymatic reactions of nitriles by resting cell cultures and enzymes. Each biocatalyst exhibited a distinctive substrate selectivity profile, generally related to the length of the aliphatic chain of the arylaliphatic nitrile and the position of substituents on the aromatic ring or aliphatic chain. Cell-free nitrilases generally exhibited a narrower substrate range than resting whole cells of Rhodococcus strains. The Rhodococcus strains all exhibited nitrile hydratase activity and converted beta-hydroxy nitriles (but did not demonstrate enantioselectivity on this substrate). The biocatalysts also mediated the synthesis of a range of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids or amides from aldehydes in the presence of cyanide. The use of an amidase inhibitor permits halting the nitrile hydratase/amidase reaction at the amide intermediate.