Claims
- 1. A process for the epoxidation of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 n-alkene, dienes or vinyl aromatic compounds which comprises: epoxidizing in a reaction medium said alkene, diene or vinyl aromatic compound, under aerobic conditions, in the presence of cells of a bacterial methylotrophic microorganism or any enzyme preparation prepared from said cells and exhibiting oxygenase enzyme activity until at least a portion of said corresponding epoxide is produced in isolable amounts, wherein said microorganisms have been aerobically grown in a nutrient medium containing methane and said microorganism are methane-utilizing micororganism strains selected from the group consisting of:
- ______________________________________Methylosinum trichosporium (CRL 15 PM1) NRRL B-11,202Methylosinus sporium (CRL 16 PM2) NRRL B-11,203Methylocystic parvus (CRL 18 PM4) NRRL B-11,204Methylomonas methanica (CRL M4P) NRRL B-11,205Methylomonas methanica (CRL 21 PM7) NRRL B-11,206Methylomonas albus (CRL M8Y) NRRL B-11,207Methylomonasstreptobacterium (CRL 17 PM3) NRRL B-11,208Methylomonas agile (CRL 22 PM9) NRRL B-11,209Methylomonas rubrum (CRL M6P) NRRL B-11,210Methylomonas rubrum (CRL 20 PM6) NRRL B-11,211Methylomonas rosaceus (CRL M10P) NRRL B-11,212Methylomonas rosaceus (CRL M7P) NRRL B-11,213Methylobacter chroococcum (CRL M6) NRRL B-11,214Methylobacter chroococcum (CRL 23, PM8) NRRL B-11,215Methylobacter bovis (CRL M1Y) NRRL B-11,216Methylobacter bovis (CRL 19 PM5) NRRL B-11,217Methylobacter vinelandii (CRL M5Y) NRRL B-11,218Methylococcus capsulatus (CRL M1) NRRL B-11,219Methylococcus minimus (CRL 24 PM12) NRRL B-11,220Methylococcus capsulatus (CRL 25 PM13) NRRL B-11,221Methylobacteriumorganophilum (CRL 26 R6) NRRL B-11,222______________________________________
- and mutants thereof.
- 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the enzyme preparation is derived from a cell-free particulate fraction of the methane-grown microorganisms.
- 3. The process of claim 2 wherein an electron carrier is added to the reaction medium.
- 4. The process of claim 3 wherein the electron carrier is NADH.
- 5. The process of claim 1 wherein the alkene is propylene.
- 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the epoxidation is carried out at a temperature in the range from about 5.degree. to about 55.degree. C. and at a pH in the range from about 4 to about 9.
- 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the epoxidation is carried out at a temperature in the range from about 25.degree. to about 50.degree. C. and at a pH in the range from 5.5 to 8.5.
- 8. The process of claim 1 wherein the epoxidation is carried out batchwise.
- 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the epoxidation is carried out in a batchwise manner and the enzyme preparation is immobilized.
- 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the epoxidation is carried out in a continuous manner and the enzyme preparation is immobilized.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 24,262 filed Mar. 27, 1979, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application Ser. No. 896,476, filed Apr. 14, 1978, now abandoned. This application is related to U.S. Application Ser. Nos. 896,467 and 896,475, filed Apr. 14, 1978, both abandoned.
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Colby et al "The Soluble CH.sub.4 Monoxygenose of Methylococcus Capsulatus" Biochem. J. vol. 165 (1977) pp. 395-402. |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
24262 |
Mar 1979 |
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
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896476 |
Apr 1978 |
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