Biotransformation of nitriles by Rhodococcus equi A4 immobilized in LentiKats®

Whole cells of Rhodococcus equi A4, a producer of nitrile hydratase and amidase activities, were immobilized in lens-shaped hydrogel particles, LentiKats®. The immobilized biocatalyst was applied to the biotransformation of benzonitrile, 3-cyanopyridine, (R,S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylenebutanenitrile and (R,S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylene-3-phenylpropanenitrile. The stability of the nitrile hydratase during the repeated use of the biocatalyst was dependent on the type of the substrate. The enzyme was most stable during the transformation of (R,S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylenebutanenitrile. No significant loss of the amidase activity was observed within the course of the biocatalytic reaction.