Biocatalysts Based on Bacterial Cells with Amidase Activity for the Synthesis of Acrylic Acid from Acrylamide

Abstract

The biocatalytic synthesis of acrylic acid from acrylamide by the Rhodococcus erythropolis 4-1 and Alcaligenes faecalis 2 strains with amidase activity is studied. The optimum pH values are 6–7 for R. erythropolis 4-1 and 7–7.5 for A. faecalis 2, while the optimum temperature is 20–50°С for both strains. The optimum acrylamide concentration is 150 mM for R. erythropolis 4-1 and 250 mM for A. faecalis 2. The synthesis of acrylic acid with fractional additions of a substrate catalyzed by the biomass of A. faecalis 2 is more effective than using R. erythropolis 4-1. The biocatalyst is best stored at −20°C. The amidase activity of A. faecalis 2 cells immobilized on chitosan activated with glutaraldehyde and non-activated chitosan did not decline during the storage of either wet or dried granules.