Biocatalytic resolution of Boc-dl-alanine methyl ester by a newly isolated Bacillus amyloliquefaciens WZZ002

A new esterase-producing strain ( Bacillus amyloliquefaciens WZZ002) that exhibits high hydrolytic activity, excellent enantioselectivity, and high substrate tolerance on Boc- dl -Alanine methyl ester was isolated from soil samples. The reaction temperature, pH, and neutralizer optima of the cell-mediated biocatalysis were 35   °C, pH   8.0, and NH 3 ·H 2 O, respectively. The optimal substrate concentration was 2   M, with a biocatalyst loading of 50   g/L. Results showed that the enantiomeric excess values of substrate and product were both greater than 99%. Thus, bioprocessing with the use of the isolated strain is a promising route for the commercial production of Boc- d -Ala-OMe.