Mild hydrolysis of nitriles by Fusarium solani strain O1.

High levels of an aromatic nitrilase (about 37 microkat/L culture) were induced in Fusarium solani O1 after transfer of the mycelium from a rich medium into a medium with 20 mmol/L picolinonitrile. The mycelium was entrapped in lense-shaped particles consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol copolymer (LentiKats). The cell-free extract was immobilized by hydrophobic binding onto a Butyl Sepharose column. The enzyme was useful for the mild hydrolysis of nicotinonitrile, isonicotinonitrile and benzonitrile.