ChromSoc nitrilase flow chemistry project 2

We have a range of nitrilases which we use as starting points for all our projects. Most of them are listed in this ChemComm. We've used them both as cell free extract and with many different types of immobilization. A good place to start we have found is in simple alginate beads which are easy to make, and give a consistent performance under our standard reaction conditions. Their synthesis using a powered syringe dropping into a stirred beaker has a somewhat hypnotic quality.

ChromSoc nitrilase flow chemistry project 1

I have an undergraduate student, Rob, working with us this summer on nitrilase reactions. He is kindly sponsored by the Chromatographic Society to work on a project using HPLC and GC to compare batch processes run on immobilized enzyme in a flask with those run on the same enzyme preparation using our in-house mesoscale flow reactor system. The flow reactor system is something we have been working on for a while and its genesis was part of a project based around using 3D printing to make bespoke laboratory equipment which is described in the Tumblr blog here, with a video of the system in operation doing a nitro reduction here. My intention is to relate here a real time log of progress with this project.

Two copies of the track fit together, and the solution

is flowed through. The track contains enzyme immobilized

on beads.