Transformation of p-hydroxybenzonitrile to p-hydroxybenzoic acid using nitrilase activity of Gordonia terrae

Abstract

Resting cells of Gordonia terrae with nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.1) activity were investigated for transformation of p-hydroxybenzonitrile to p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The maximum conversion was observed in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 8.0, using 40 mM substrate and resting cells corresponding to 0.70 Uml^{− 1} nitrilase activity at 35°C. A 500 mL fed batch reaction was designed for synthesis of p-hydroxybenzoic acid with six feedings of substrate at an interval of 1 h. A total of 14.4 g of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (> 98.7%) was obtained in 6 h with a productivity of 0.78 gh^{− 1}g^{− 1}_DCW of G. terrae.

Keywords::

• Nitrilase
• p-hydroxybenzonitrile
• p-hydroxybenzoic acid and Gordonia terrae

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

We acknowledge University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India, for financial support in the form of JRF to Mr. Vijay Kumar.