The synthesis of chiral cyanohydrins by oxynitrilases

Trends Biotechnol. 2000 Jun;18(6):252-6. doi: 10.1016/s0167-7799(00)01452-9.

Abstract

Enantiomerically pure cyanohydrins are important synthetic intermediates for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. They are produced by enzyme-catalysed synthesis using oxynitrilases. Sufficient quantities of enzyme are available via cheap natural sources and there have been recent advances in overexpression production of cyanohydrins on an industrial scale.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aldehyde-Lyases / chemistry*
  • Aldehyde-Lyases / genetics
  • Aldehyde-Lyases / metabolism*
  • Biochemistry / methods*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Nitriles / chemical synthesis*
  • Nitriles / metabolism
  • Plants / enzymology
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Nitriles
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Aldehyde-Lyases
  • mandelonitrile lyase