Optimization of Enzymatic Synthesis of Ampicillin Using Cross-Linked Aggregates of Penicillin G Acylase

Penicillin G acylase from E. coli TA1 was immobilized by Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (CLEA), a new method for immobilization. This biocatalyst and commercial immobilized penicillin G acylase (PGA-450) were used to study the effect of pH, temperature and substrate concentration on the synthesis of ampicillin from phenyl glycine methyl ester (PGME) and 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA). Compared with PGA-450, this immobilized enzyme showed a high synthesis activity. The optimum conditions for synthetic activity was at pH 6, 25°C and 2:6 (6-APA:PGME) substrate ratio.