Process Optimisation Studies and Aminonitrile Substrate Evaluation of SET1, A Nitrile Hydrolyzing Bacterium.

A comprehensive series of optimization studies including pH, solvent and temperature were completed on the nitrile hydrolyzing bacterium SET1 with the substrate 3-hydroxybutyronitrile. These identified temperature of 25 °C and pH of 7 as the best conditions to retain enantioselectivity and activity. The effect of the addition of organic solvents to the biotransformation mixture was also determined.