Isolation And Application Of Cyclic Carbonate Hydrolase-producing Microorganisms

Optically active alcohols are widely used as intermediates for introducing chiral center(s) into end-products, such as chemical catalysts, liquid crystals, flavors, agrochemicals and drugs. Utilizing 4-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one as sole carbon and energy source, a new microorganism catalyzing the enantioselective hydrolysis of 4-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one was discovered from soil through an enrichment screening procedure. This strain was identified as Bacillus species by 16S rDNA gene sequencing and designated as Bacillus sp. ECU0015 (CGMCC No.2874). The biocatalytic reaction with the whole cells in aqueous media containing methanol as the co-solvent afforded 1-phenyl-1,2-ethane diol in excellent enantiomeric excess (ee) and good yield. The optimal temperature, pH and substrate concentration were 35℃, pH 7.3 and 10 mM, respectively. Utilizing Bacillus sp. ECU0015 cells as catalysts, (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol was prepared with an excellent enantiomeric excess (>99%) and a moderate yield (27.8%). Dimethyl carbonate was transformed into methanol. Whole cells of Bacillus sp. ECU0015 also catalyzed the enantioselective hydrolysis of 1,2-acetoxy-2-phenylacetic acid (APA) and its derivatives. (R)-Mandelic acid and (R)-3-chloro-mandelic acid were prepared with excellent enantiomeric excesses (97.8% and>99%) and moderate yields (31.5% and 27.8%).