Dependence of catalytic performance of a freeze-dried whole-cell biocatalyst of Pseudomonas fluorescens in regioselective acetylation of 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine on growth conditions

► A bacteria whole cell biocatalyst is prepared and originally applied to regioselective acylation of nucleoside. ► Pseudomonas fluorescens cells show high 5′-regioselectivity above 96%. ► Addition of lipid-related substrates improves the catalytic activity of the cells in terms of the conversion yield of the cell-catalyzed reaction. ► Both the type and concentration of carbon or nitrogen sources, as well as the culture time, could significantly influence the catalytic behaviors of the whole-cell biocatalyst in subsequent acylation reaction.