Study on the (R)-oxynitrilase activity of Pouteria sapota

Mamey (Pouteria sapota) defatted meal was used to catalyze the enantioselective addition of HCN to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. Using a biphasic system of diisopropyl ether and citrate buffer (0.1 M, pH 5.0, 10% v/v), the (R)-cyanohydrins obtained showed good conversion (from 54 to 98%) and enantiomeric excess (from 74 to 99%).