Biotransformation of nitriles using the solvent-tolerant nitrile hydratase from Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009

A study has been carried out into the biocatalytic hydration of nitriles using the nitrile hydratase enzyme from Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009. It has been shown that this nitrile hydratase can hydrate aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic nitriles under very mild conditions, in mixtures of pH 7 buffer and a range of organic solvents, often with excellent chemoselectivity. The major determinant of hydration occurring is the degree of steric hindrance around the nitrile moiety and/or size of the substrates.