Synthesis of (R)-2-phenylpropanoic acid from its racemate through an isomerase-involving reaction by Nocardia diaphanozonaria

• Published in: Biotechnology letters Vol. 24; no. 19; pp. 1615 - 1621
• Main Authors: MITSUKURA, Koichi, YOSHIDA, Toyokazu, NAGASAWA, Toru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.10.2002; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Metabolism. Enzymes; Microbiology; inducer; Nocardia; Isomerization; Propionic acid; reaction mechanisms; Nocardiaceae; Biosynthesis; 2-phenylpropanoic acid; Actinomycetales; Substrate; Racemic; Substrate specificity; Microorganism culture; Nocardia diaphanozonaria; Bacteria; Actinomycetes
• ISSN: 0141-5492; 1573-6776
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1020353631566

(R)-2-Phenylpropanoic acid was synthesized from the racemic acid through an isomerization reaction involving resting cells of Nocardia diaphanozonaria JCM3208. The isomerization activity of the cells was enhanced 25-fold by adding 5.5 mM racemic 2-phenylpropanoic acid to the culture medium. When 5 mM racemic 2-phenylpropanoic acid was included in the reaction mixture (4 ml) containing resting cells (100 mg dry cell wt) in 25 mM K^sub 2^HPO^sub 4^/KH^sub 2^PO^sub 4^ buffer (pH 7.0) at 30 °C for 8 h, 4.56 mM (R)-2-phenylpropanoic acid (95.8% e.e.) was formed with a 91% molar conversion yield.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]