An enzymatic method for the continuous production of (S)−(+)−2−(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl) propionic acid (Naproxen) has been developed. The process consists of a stereoselective hydrolysis of the racemic Naproxen ethoxyethyl ester catalyzed by Candida cylindracea lipase. The reaction has been carried out in a continuous-flow closed-loop column bioreactor packed with Amberlite XAD−7, a slightly polor resin on which the lipase has been immobilized by adsorption. Various immobilization conditions as well as the properties of the immobilized lipase have been studied. The performance and the productivity of the bioreactor were evaluated as a function of the critical reaction parameters such as temperature, substrate concentration, and product inhibition. By using a 500-mL column bioreactor, 1.8 kg of optically pure (S)-(+)-Naproxen were produced after 1200 h of continuous operation with a slight loss of the enzymatic activity.

Enzymatic resolution of (S)-(+)-naproxen in a continuous reactor.

https://www.cell.com/trends/biotechnology/pdf/0167-7799(88)90057-1.pdf

Lipases in the preparation of β-blockers

Epichlorohydrin, 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol and glycidol are versatile chiral C3 syntons in organic synthesis. For the production of these, more efficient and more practical methods are required and many studies have been reported. In this review, biological and synthetic preparations of their synthons and microbial dehalogenation of halohydrins connected with the biological methods are described. Several of their synthetic applications are also introduced.

Chiral C3 epoxides and halohydrins: Their preparation and synthetic application

Lipase catalyzed synthesis of macrocyclic lactones in organic solvents

We have screened a new enzyme for the resolution of R, S-naproxen enantiomers. The enzyme is free of lipase activity, and possesses a very high sterospecificity on S-naproxen [2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)-propionic acid] esters and esters of related drugs. The primary structure of the enzyme, determined from the nucleotide sequence, shows limited homology with the catalytic site of lipases. The gene coding for the steroselective carboxylesterase has been cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis. Using a multicopy vector and an additional strong promoter an efficient production process was developed. The enzyme was shown to be sensitive to very high concentrations of the products formed during the reaction it catalyses. To increase the resistance of the enzyme, lysine residues thought to be responsible for this phenomnon were replaced through site-directed mutagenesis. Enzymes with improved stability were obtained. An explanation is given in terms of a model in which a reaction of the acid moiety of naproxen with free lysine NH2 groups is a major cause of inactivation.

Development of a new bacillus carboxyl esterase for use in the resolution of chiral drugs

Microorganisms that hydrolyze methyl 2-phenylpropionate (1) or reduce 4-phenyl-2-butanone (3) were screened from 250 type cultures. Several Aspergilli and two bacteria hydrolyzed ester 1, and Asp. sojae IAM 2703 preferentially hydrolyzed (R)-isomer of (±)-1, whereas Bacillus subtilis var. niger IFO 3108 and Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC 10143 preferentially hydrolyzed (S)-isomer. The hydrolysis of the related esters of 1 with these organisms was also examined.

Asymmetric Hydrolysis of (±)-α-Substituted Carboxylic Acid Esters with Microorganisms

Enzymes and microorganisms were screened for the enantioselective hydrolysis of (±)-1-acetoxy-2, 3-dichloropropane (1) which is convertible to epichlorohydrin. Pancreatin and steapsin from hog pancreas were found to hydrolyze (±)-1 asymmetrically to give (S)-1 of 90% enantiomeric excess (e.e.). From (S)-1 was synthesized the optically pure (S)-isomer of propranolol[1-isopropylamino-3-(1-naphthoxy)-2-propanol], one of the typical β-adrenergic blocking agents.

Atsuko Keiyu

Papers

Asymmetric Hydrolysis of (±)-α-Substituted Carboxylic Acid Esters with Microorganisms

Asymmetric hydrolysis of (.+-.)-1-acetoxy-2,3-dichloropropane with enzymes and microorganisms.