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 &egr;-caprolactone in the preparation of highly branched copolyester.

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 &egr;-caprolactone in the preparation of highly branched copolyester.

Abstract: Recombinant microbial strains are provided that express nitrilase enzyme and are useful as biocatalysts for the hydrolysis of nitrile-containing substrates. The recombinant cells are transformed with a foreign gene isolated from Acidovorax facilis 72W encoding a thermostable nitrilase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of nitrile-containing substrates to carboxylic acids under mild reaction conditions. The nucleotide sequence of the nitrilase gene and the deduced amino acid sequence encoded by the nitrilase gene are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the hydrolysis of acrylonitrile to acrylic acid, and for the hydrolysis of methacrylonitrile to methacrylic acid, in high yield and at high concentration with high specificity. Acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile is hydrolyzed in a suitable aqueous reaction mixture by a catalyst characterized by a nitrile hydratase and amidase activity of Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D, producing the corresponding acid. The acrylic acid or methacrylic acid is isolated as the acid or corresponding salt.

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 &egr;-caprolactone in the preparation of highly branched copolyester.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for preparing a carboxylic acid from the corresponding nitrile using a nitrilase catalyst. More particularly, the instant invention converts 2-methylglutaronitrile to 4-cyanopentanoic acid in aqueous solution using an enzyme catalyst having an nitrilase activity, immobilized in alginate, and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and polyethylenimine.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for preparing a carboxylic acid from the corresponding nitrile using a nitrilase catalyst. More particularly, the instant invention converts 2-methylglutaronitrile to 4-cyanopentanoic acid in aqueous solution using an enzyme catalyst having an nitrilase activity, immobilized in alginate, and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and polyethylenimine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing dicarboxylic acid monoesters from cyanocarboxylic acid esters. More particularly, using the nitrilase from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 55745) in various forms as an enzyme catalyst, an aliphatic or aromatic cyanocarboxylic acid ester is converted to the corresponding dicarboxylic acid monoester with high chemoselectivity at 100% conversion. An embodiment of the invention also provides a process for obtaining high chemoselectively and high regioselectivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing &agr;-hydroxy acids using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity. More specifically, the invention pertains to use of Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 55746) nitrilase to hydrolyze glycolonitrile to glycolic acid. Glycolonitrile is reacted in an aqueous mixture with a catalyst having Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase activity to give glycolic acid selectively, and at high concentration and high yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing &agr;-hydroxy acids using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity. More specifically, the invention pertains to use of Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 55746) nitrilase to hydrolyze glycolonitrile to glycolic acid. Glycolonitrile is reacted in an aqueous mixture with a catalyst having Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase activity to give glycolic acid selectively, and at high concentration and high yield.

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 &egr;-caprolactone in the preparation of highly branched copolyester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to two novel microorganisms, Acinetobacter baumanni WT-50/50-4A (ATCC 202144) and Serratia marcescens WT-L-4A1(RED) (ATCC 202145) characterized by 4-hydroxyproline epimerase activity. The compounds trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (THLP) or cis-4-hydroxy-D-proline (CHDP) are converted with this epimerase activity to a mixture of THLP and CHDP. Additionally, the compounds trans-4-hydroxy-D-proline (THDP) or cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline (CHLP) are converted with this epimerase activity to a mixture of THDP and CHLP.

Abstract: A process for the production of glyoxylic acid by reacting glycolic acid with oxygen in an aqueous solution in the presence of an amine buffer capable of forming a chemical adduct with glyoxylic acid, and glycolate oxidase and catalase immobilized or co-immobilized on an insoluble support is disclosed. The reaction is carried out at a pH of 7 to 10, preferably 8 to 9.5, an initial concentration of glycolic acid of 200 to 2500 mM, a concentration of amine wherein the initial mole ratio of amine to glycolic acid is within the range of 1.0 to 3.0, a concentration of immobilized catalase of 50 to 100,00 IU/mL, preferably 350 to 14,000 IU/mL, an oxygen pressure of up to 50 atmospheres, preferably 15 atmospheres, an immobilized glycolate oxidase concentration of about 0.01 to 10 IU/mL, preferably about 0.1 to 4 IU/mL, and a temperature of 0.degree. to 40.degree. C. preferably 5.degree. to 15.degree. C. Preferred insoluble immobilization supports are Eupergit C-250L and Eupergit C (Oxirane acrylic beads).