Abstract:
Various methods are provided for the enzymatic production of glycolic acid from glycolonitrile. These methods include: 1) use of Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase mutants having improved nitrilase activity for converting glycolonitrile to glycolic acid, and 2) methods to improve catalyst stability and/or productivity. The methods to improve catalyst stability/productivity include use of reaction stabilizers, running the reactions under substantially oxygen free conditions, and controlling the concentration of substrate in the reaction mixture.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a carboxylic acid ester from an aqueous solution of the corresponding carboxylic acid ammonium salt using alcoholysis. The recovered carboxylic acid ester may be subsequently hydrolyzed to produce the corresponding carboxylic acid.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a process for improving the specific activity of a dehydrated enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity for hydrolysis of glycolonitrile to glycolic acid upon rehydration. In particular, a process is provided comprising pretreating an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity with glutaraldehyde, immobilizing the gutaraldehyde-preteated enzyme catalyst and chemically cross-linking the enzyme catalyst prior to dehydration. Upon rehydration, the enzyme catalyst exhibits improved specific nitrilase activity as compared to enzyme catalysts having nitrilase activity that are dehydrated and rehydrated without the processing described herein.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a catalytic process for making dibutyl ethers using a reactant comprising 1-butanol and water. The dibutyl ethers so produced are useful in transportation fuels.
Abstract:
TAL cell biocatalyst was immobilized in alginate cross-linked beads using low concentrations of glutaraldehyde. The biocatalyst beads have highly stable TAL activity and mechanical strength such that they withstand prolonged recycling in production of pHCA.
Abstract:
This invention relates to nitrilase mutants having improved nitrilase activity for converting 3-hydroxynitriles to 3-hydroxycarboxylic acids. More specifically, the Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 55746) nitrilase gene was mutated using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create nitrilase enzymes having improved nitrilase activity for converting 3-hydroxynitriles (e.g., 3-hydroxybutyronitrile or 3-hydroxyvaleronitrile) to the corresponding 3-hydroxycarboxylic acids. A process using these improved mutants to produce the 3-hydroxycarboxylic acids is also provided.
Abstract:
A process is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted in situ with an inorganic peroxide in the presence of a non-heme haloperoxidase having perhydrolysis activity to produce peroxycarboxylic acids.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid from a 3-hydroxynitrile. More specifically, 3-hydroxyvaleronitrile is converted to 3-hydroxyvaleric acid in high yield at up to 100% conversion, using as an enzyme catalyst 1) nitrile hydratase activity and amidase activity or 2) nitrilase activity of a microbial cell. 3-Hydroxyvaleric acid is used as a substitute for ε-caprolactone in the preparation of highly branched copolyester.
Abstract:
This invention relates to nitrilase mutants having improved nitrilase activity for converting 3-hydroxynitriles to 3-hydroxycarboxylic acids. More specifically, the Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 55746) nitrilase gene was mutated using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create nitrilase enzymes having improved nitrilase activity for converting 3-hydroxynitriles (e.g., 3-hydroxybutyronitrile or 3-hydroxyvaleronitrile) to the corresponding 3-hydroxycarboxylic acids. A process using these improved mutants to produce the 3-hydroxycarboxylic acids is also provided.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid from a 3-hydroxynitrile. More specifically, 3-hydroxyvaleronitrile is converted to 3-hydroxyvaleric acid in high yield at up to 100% conversion, using as an enzyme catalyst 1) nitrile hydratase activity and amidase activity or 2) nitrilase activity of a microbial cell. 3-Hydroxyvaleric acid is used as a substitute for ε-caprolactone in the preparation of highly branched copolyester.