Novel developments for the production of 6APA in the penicillin g fermentation plant by using fiber-entrapped penicillin amidase

The production of 6APA by enzymatic hydrolysis of penicillin G can be integrated with the production of penicillin G. The penicillin G solutions obtained during the extraction from the fermented broth can be directly hydrolyzed to 6APA and phenyl acetic acid. The 6APA is then recovered while the phenyl acetic acid can also be recovered and recycled to the fermentation plant. Some of the results obtained by the research work performed by SNAM Progetti in their Microbiological Laboratories with the advice of Biochem Design are presented and analyzed. The economic potential of the integrated process is discussed.