Patents
The present invention relates to a process for the biotransformation of cyanohydrocarbons to corresponding amides.It relates to a process for the biotransformation of cyanohydrocarbos to corresponding amides using whole cells of a novel Rhodococcus sp. Strain RL4 having nitrile hydratase enzyme. The present invention particularly relates to conversion of aliphatic and aromatic cyanohydrocarbons such as acrylonitrile, propionitrile, isobutyronitrile, benzyl cyanide, 3-cyanopyridine and the like to the corresponding amides, and more particularly relates to an enzymatic process for the hydration of acrylonitrile to acrylamide catalyzed by nitrile hydratase present in the resting cells of Rhodococcus sp. RL4. The main usage of the invention is to provide a process fro the preparation of Rhodococcus sp. RL4 cells having nitrile hydratase enzyme which can be used under mild reaction conditions e.g. atmospheric pressure, low temperature, near neutral pH to hydrate acrylonitrile to acrylamide without any by-product formation.