Regio‐ and stereo‐specific nitrile hydrolysis by the nitrile hydratase from Rhodococcus AJ270

Abstract

Abstract An acetonitrile‐utilising bacterium AJ270 has been isolated from soil, identified as a Rhodococcus sp. and shown to be distinct from all the recognised species of the genus. It grows well on 32 of 36 aliphatic, aromatic and hetero‐aromatic nitriles tested and is capable of rapid growth on high concentrations (0.25–0.38 M) of acetonitrile, benzonitrile and 3‐cyanopyridine. The nitrile hydratase of Rhodococcus AJ270 is stable on storage for 18 months at − 20° C, has activity against a very broad range of nitriles and dinitriles and is able to catalyse regio‐specific and stereo‐specific nitrile biotransformations. The suitability of AJ270 as a robust and versatile biocatalyst is discussed. Copyright © 1995, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved