Isolation and genetic improvement of Pseudomonas sp. strain HUT-78, capable of enzymatic production of L-cysteine from DL-2-amino-Δ2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid.

Microorganisms able to bioconvert DL-2-amino-Δ(2)-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (DL-ATC) into L-cysteine were originally isolated from 10 soil samples with DL-ATC as the sole nitrogen source. Ninety-seven L-cysteine-producing bacterial strains were screened out and obtained in pure culture. Among them, a strain, designated as HUT-78, was selected as the best producer, with a molar bioconversion rate of 60%.