Production of p -acetaminophenol by whole-cell catalysis using Escherichia coli overexpressing bacterial aryl acylamidase

Aryl acylamidase (EC 3.5.1.13, AAA) acts on the amide bond between aryl and acyl groups. Whole cells of Escherichia coli overexpressing a novel bacterial AAA synthesized p -acetaminophenol ( p -AAP) from p -aminophenol ( p -AP, aryl compound) and acetate (acyl donor). Optimum conditions were pH 5.5 and 35°C with 100 mM p -AP and 600 mM sodium acetate in 100 mM sodium phosphate buffer including 1% (v/v) Triton X-100 for 60 h. 13.1 g p -AAP l −1 was produced with a conversion yield of 87%.