Hydrolysis of d,l-phenylglycine nitrile by new bacterial cultures

Bacterial cultures were screened for nitrile hydratase/amidase activity towards phenylglycine nitrile. Various strains were obtained, which harboured a nonselective nitrile hydratase and an extremely l-selective amidase. A highly active strain, identified as a Rhodococcus sp. was cultured with different nitriles as the sole source of nitrogen. The growth rate of the cells was not influenced by the structure of the nitriles, but the effect on the specific activity of the nitrile hydratase was significant. The best result was obtained with the cells grown on 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile. Hydrolysis of d,l-phenylglycine nitrile catalysed by this culture gave d-phenylglycine amide in 48% yield and >99% ee and l-phenylglycine in 52% yield and 97% ee.