Efficient preparation of both enantiomers of 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoic acid catalyzed by Shinella sp. R-6 and Arthrobacter sp. S-2

Several microorganisms that can enantioselectively hydrolyze 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide have been isolated from soil samples. These strains were capable of growing in a medium containing 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide as the sole nitrogen source. Among them, Shinella sp. R-6 was identified as a strain capable of exhibiting R-selective hydrolysis activity, while Arthrobacter sp. S-2 was capable of exhibiting S-selective hydrolysis activity. The preparation of both enantiomers of 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoic acid via the two-step whole-cell reaction was investigated using these two strains.