Optimization of Process Parameters for Conversion of 3-cyanpyridine to Nicotinamide Using Resting Cells of Mutant 4D Strain of Rhodococcus rhodochrous PA-34

Abstract

Mutant of Rhodococcus rhodochrous PA-34, named as 'mutant 4D' has been reported for the hyperconversion of 3-cyanopyridine to nicotinamide. This mutant 4D generated through chemical mutagenesis has much more hydration potential than its wild strain. The reaction conditions for prolonged reaction and process parameters for the conversion of 3-cyanopyridine to nicotinamide were optimized. Under the optimized reaction conditions the mutant 4D is stable at higher temperature (55°C), high ionic strength (0.3 M) and at acidic pH conditions (5.5) and exhibited 8.0, 7.9 and 7.0 U/mg dcw NHase activity, respectively. In a batch reaction of (One litre), 7M 3-cyanopyridine was completely converted to nicotinamide in 3h at 55°C using 7g resting cells (dry cell mass) of mutant 4D of R. rhodochrous PA-34.

Keywords

• Rhodococcus rhodochrous PA-34
• 3-cyanopyridine
• Nicotinamide
• Conversion