Nitrilase from rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCC BAA-870: fibre formation over time

Abstract

A versatile nitrile-degrading bacterium, Rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCCBAA-870, was isolated through enrichment culturing of soil samples from Johannesburg, South Africa. The researchers have previously shown that Rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCCBAA-870 possesses nitrile-hydrolysing enzymes capable of metabolising a wide range of aliphatic and aromatic nitriles and amides. The biocatalyst expressed a two enzyme system with sequential nitrile-converting activity. Nitrilase enzymes catalyse the hydrolysis of a nitrile into its corresponding carboxylic acid and ammonia, and have become important industrial enzymes as a result of the products they afford. Successful commercial examples of nitrile bioconversion include production of nicotinic acid and acrylic acid. Both experimental and results are shown in the poster