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Isolation, identification and characterization of Bacillus subtilis ZJB-063, a versatile nitrile-converting bacterium

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Abstract

Strain ZJB-063, a versatile nitrile-amide-degrading strain, was newly isolated from soil in this study. Based on morphology, physiological tests, Biolog and the 16S rDNA sequence, strain ZJB-063 was identified as Bacillus subtilis. ZJB-063 exhibited nitrilase activity without addition of inducers, indicating that the nitrilase in B. subtilis ZJB-063 is constitutive. Interestingly, the strain exhibited nitrile hydratase and amidase activity with the addition of ɛ-caprolactam. Moreover, the substrate spectrum altered with the alteration of enzyme systems due to the addition of ɛ-caprolactam. The constitutive nitrilase was highly specific for arylacetonitriles, while the nitrile hydratase/amidase in B. subtilis ZJB-063 could not only hydrolyze arylacetonitriles but also other nitriles including some aliphatic nitriles and heterocyclic nitriles. Despite comparatively low activity, the amidase of hydratase/amidase system was effective in converting amides to acids. The versatility of this strain in the hydrolysis of various nitriles and amides makes it a potential biocatalyst in organic synthesis.

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Acknowledgements

We greatly appreciated the help of Dr. Yin Li of North Dakota State University, USA, and Dr. Peter Baker and Dr. David Feder of Polytechnic University, USA, for their kindness in editing our manuscript. This work was supported by the Major Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program; No. 2003CB716005) and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program; No. 2006AA02Z241).

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  1. Institute of Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, People’s Republic of China

    Yu-Guo Zheng, Jing Chen, Zhi-Qiang Liu, Ming-Huo Wu, Liang-Ying Xing & Yin-Chu Shen

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  1. Yu-Guo Zheng
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  2. Jing Chen
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  3. Zhi-Qiang Liu
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Correspondence to Yu-Guo Zheng.

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Zheng, YG., Chen, J., Liu, ZQ. et al. Isolation, identification and characterization of Bacillus subtilis ZJB-063, a versatile nitrile-converting bacterium. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 77, 985–993 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-007-1236-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-007-1236-x

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