STRAIN OF RHODOCOCCUS RHODOCHROUS NCIMB 41164 AND ITS USE AS PRODUCER OF NITRILE HYDRATASE

摘要

A microorganism which is Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or amutant thereof. A method of culturing the microorganism in a culture mediumcomprising urea or urea derivative is claimed. A nitrite hydratase obtainablefrom the microorganism is claimed. Also claimed is a process of preparing anamide from the corresponding nitrite wherein the nitrite is subjected to ahydration reaction in an aqueous medium in the presence of a biocatalystselected from the group consisting of a microorganism which is a Rhodococcusrhodochrous strain NUMB 41164, a mutant thereof and a nitrite hydrataseobtainable from Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutantthereof. Also claimed is a method of storing the Rhodococcus rhodochrous NUMB41164.