Allocation and optimization of whole-cell-catalysts for the bienzymatic synthesis of hydroxycarboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxamides

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It is proposed to develop an atom-efficient, broadly applicable procedure to synthesize enantiopure 2-hydroxyacids from the corresponding aldehydes and HCN in a bienzymatic cascade at synthetically relevant (0.1 . 0.5 M) concentrations. The enzymes involved are an oxynitrilase and a nitrilase with corresponding enantiomeric bias. Such a process will contribute to the sustainable manufacture of fine chemicals on account of the improvement in yield and enantiomeric purity of the products and the reduction in waste compared with the traditional procedures. The project requires nitrilases with the required enantiomeric bias that maintain their activity under mildly acidic conditions in concentrated biphasic aqueous-organicreaction media. As these are not sufficiently available, they will be screening and genetic engineering. In this project a microbiology group with genetic engineering and enzymology capabilities will closely collaborate with a synthetic organic chemistry group with a broad biocatalysis experience, sharing each others competences and facilities.