Abstract
Nitriles are organic compounds consisting of −C≡N group. They are frequently known to occur in nature and as intermediate by-products and waste products of various chemical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries. They are also found in fruit pits, cabbage, cauliflower, and sprouts, which are released upon hydrolysis. Nitrile converting enzymes like nitrilases have been extracted from microorganisms and plants. Nitrilase-mediated biocatalysis reactions have continuously aroused widespread interest to scientists and entrepreneurs in organic synthesis. Nitrile converting biocatalysts (Nitrilases) are now of substantial industrial interest from the perspective of treating toxic nitrile and cyanide-containing compounds. Nitrile degrading enzymes generally consist of nitrilases and amidases. The aim of the current review is to summarize the recent advancements on regioselective nitrilases concerning their fundamental researches and their application in the synthesis of series of high-value fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The present review also focuses on the utility of nitrile converting enzyme, sources, properties, classification, structure, and applications as well.
Highlights
Chemical reactions occur either spontaneously or require a catalyst to move in a forward direction
Β- Amino-amides and acids can be used as building blocks for the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, and nitrilases are capable of synthesizing such compounds from their nitrile precursors
“super nitrilase mutant” of nitrilase with high activity, thermostability, and improved product tolerance from Acidovorax facilis ZJB09122 was expressed in E. coli for the conversion of a high concentration of 1-cyano cyclohexylacetonitrile-to-1-cyanocyclohexaneacetic acid, which is an important precursor of gabapentin
Summary
Chemical reactions occur either spontaneously or require a catalyst to move in a forward direction. Enzymes are remarkable catalysts capable of catalyzing various chemical reactions in the cell. Many microbes are able to hydrolyze nitrile to the less toxic and valuable carboxylic acid by using nitrile-utilizing enzymes. These enzymes are known to have an important role in nitrile degradation. Various nitrilaseproducing organisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeast, and plants, have been described. Such microbial cell factories can be utilized for the commercial production of carboxylic acid. The success of the commercial production of nicotinic acid and mandelic acid using nitrilase-mediated catalysis has shown the great economic potential of this enzyme [7]. We have discussed the origin and environmental distribution of nitrile compounds with different bioremediation pathways and enzymes involved therein
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
