Cell-free extract(s) of Pseudomonas putida catalyzes the conversion of cyanides, cyanates, thiocyanates, formamide, and cyanide-containing mine waters into ammonia.

Our isolate, Pseudomonas putida, is known to be capable of utilizing cyanides as the sole source of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) both in the form of free cells and cells immobilized in calcium alginate. In the present study, the cell-free extract(s) were prepared from the cells of P. putida grown in the presence of sodium cyanide. The ability of enzyme(s) to convert cyanides, cyanates, thiocyanates, formamide and cyanide-containing mine waters into ammonia (NH3) was studied at pH 7.5 and pH 9.5. The kinetic analysis of cyanide and formamide conversion into NH3 at pH 7.5 and pH 9.5 by the cell-free extract(s) of P. putida was also studied. The Km and Vmax values for cyanide/formamide were found to be 4.3/8 mM and 142/227 mumol NH3 released mg protein-1 min-1 respectively at pH 7.5 and 5/16.67 mM and 181/434 mumol NH3 released mg protein-1 h-1 respectively at pH 9.5. The study thus concludes that the cell-free extract(s) of P. putida is able to metabolize not only cyanides, cyanates, thiocyanates, and formamide but also cyanide-containing mine waters to NH3.