Claims
- 1. A process for increasing the oxidative state of an oxidizable organic substrate selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkanes to the corresponding alcohols, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes to the corresponding 1- and 2- alkanols and methyl ketones which comprises: oxidizing said oxidizable substrate under aerobic conditions, in the presence of cells of a bacterial methylotrophic microorganism or an enzyme preparation prepared from said cells which exhibits oxygenase enzyme activity until at least a portion of said corresponding oxidized product is produced in isolatable amounts, wherein said microorganisms have been aerobically grown in a nutrient medium containing methane which provides the carbon and energy source for growth of the cells and induces oxygenase enzyme activity in said cells and said microorganisms are methane-utilizing microorganism strains selected from the group consisting of:
- Methylosinum trichosporium--(CRL 15 PM1)--NRRL B-11,202
- Methylosinus sporium--(CRL 16 PM2)--NRRL B-11,203
- Methylocystis parvus--(CRL 18 PM4)--NRRL B-11,204
- Methylomonas methanica--(CRL M4P)--NRRL B-11,205
- Methylomonas methanica--(CRL 21 PM7)--NRRL B-11,206
- Methylomonas albus--(CRL M8Y)--NRRL B-11,207
- Methylomonas streptobacterium--(CRL 17 PM3)--NRRL B-11,208
- Methylomonas agile--(CRL 22 PM9)--NRRL B-11,209
- Methylomonas rubrum--(CRL M6P)--NRRL B-11,210
- Methylomonas rubrum--(CRL 20 PM6)--NRRL B-11,211
- Methylomonas rosaceus--(CRL M1OP)--NRRL B-11,212
- Methylomonas rosaceus--(CRL M7P)--NRRL B-11,213
- Methylobacter chroococcum--(CRL M6)--NRRL B-11,214
- Methylobacter chroococcum--(CRL 23 PM8)--NRRL B-11,215
- Methylobacter bovis--(CRL M1Y)--NRRL B-11,216
- Methylobacter bovis--(CRL 19 PM5)--NRRL B-11,217
- Methylobacter vinelandii--(CRL M5Y)--NRRL B-11,218
- Methylococcus capsulatus--(CRL M1)--NRRL B-11,219
- Methylococcus minimus--(CRL 24 PM12)--NRRL B-11,220
- Methylococcus capsulatus--(CRL 25 PM13)--NRRL B-11,221
- Methylobacterium organophilum--(CRL 26 R6)--NRRL B-11,222
- and mutants thereof.
- 2. The process of claim 1 wherein said substrate is a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 n-alkane.
- 3. the process of claim 1 wherein said enzyme preparation comprises microbial cells.
- 4. The process of claim 1 wherein said enzyme preparation is cell-free and is added to said enzyme preparation NADH.
- 5. The process of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the conversion is carried out at a temperature in the range from about 5.degree. to 55.degree. C. and at a pH in the range from about 4 to about 9.
- 6. The process of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said substrate is propane or butane and the resulting products are the corresponding alcohols and ketones.
- 7. The process of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the conversion is carried out batchwise.
- 8. The process of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the conversion is carried out in a batchwise manner and the enzyme preparation is immobilized.
- 9. The process of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the conversion is carried out in a continuous manner and the enzyme preparation is immobilized.
- 10. The process of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said substrate is propane or butane and the resulting product is a secondary alcohol.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 896,476, filed Apr. 14, 1978 abandoned. This application is related to U.S. application Ser. Nos. 896,467 and 896,475, filed Apr. 14, 1978 both now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry |
Colby et al., "The Soluble Methane Monooxygenase of Methylococcus capsulatus," Biochem J., vol. 165 (1977), pp. 395-402. |
Nesterov et al., "Activity of Methane Oxidizing Bacterium in the Absorbed State," Chemical Abstracts, vol. 84 (1976), Abst. No. 27940c. |
Thomson et al., "Acetone Production by Methylobacterium," Chemical Abstracts, vol. 85 (1976), Abst. No. 156225t. |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
896476 |
Apr 1978 |
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