PENICILLIN ACYLASE: ENZYME PRODUCTION AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE MANUFACTURE OF 6-APA

Immobilised penicillin acylases, both penicillin G and penicillin V acylases have been used extensively in the industrial production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid. This review presents an overview of the state-of-the art in the production of the enzyme and its application in the manufacture of 6-aminopenicillanic acid, the key intermediate in semi-synthetic penicillins production. Penicillin acylases used industrially are immobilised on solid matrices mostly by covalent bonding or by copolymerisation and such preparations of the enzymes are available commercially. Both stirred-tank and packed-column type of reactors have been used in the hydrolysis of penicillin