Escherichia coli BioH: a highly enantioselective and organic solvent tolerant esterase for kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols

Escherichia coli BioH, which is obligatory for biotin synthesis, was found to be an organic solvent tolerant esterase with high enantioselectivity for the kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols using free enzyme powder. With this esterase, a variety of racemic sec-alcohols were efficiently resolved with ee values of up to 99%.

An organic solvent tolerant esterase was found exhibiting high enantioselectivity for kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols and a variety of sec-alcohols were efficiently resolved with ee values of up to 99%.