Seiichi Uchida

Production of 1,2-epoxyalkanes from 1-alkenes by Nocardia corallina B-276

SummaryA gaseous hydrocarbon-assimilating microorganism, Nocardia corallina, grew on 1-alkenes (C3, C4 and C13 to C18) and produced corresponding 1,2-epoxyalkanes. One of the products, 1,2-epoxytetradecane, had a positive rotation [α]D20=+8.6°. The concentration of propyleneoxide reached 0.6 g/l after 5 days of cultivation. Accumulation of 1,2-epoxytetradecane continued till the end of cultivation when the pH was not controlled, though production stopped in a 24 h cultivation when the pH was controlled at an optimum pH for growth. Propylene-grown cells produced 1,2-epoxytetradecane from 1-tetradecene and degraded tetradecane. In the presence of chloramphenicol, propylene-grown cells did not degraded tetradecane though 1,2-epoxytetradecane was produced from 1-tetradecene. A spontaneous mutant, which neither grew on propylene nor produced propyleneoxide, was isolated. This strain grew on tetradecane and 1-tetradecene but produced only a trace amount of 1,2-epoxytetradecane from 1-tetradecene.