The nitrile hydratase activity of Nocardia corallina B-276 is described, and the only detected product during the biocatalyzed hydrolysis of selected nitriles was the corresponding amide. The best results were obtained using a suspension of cells in a phosphate buffer (pH= 7.0), with conversion percentages ranging from 31% to > 99%.
nitrile hydratase; biotransformation; nitriles; amides; Nocardia corallina
