Efficient Production of 2-Oxobutyrate from 2-Hydroxybutyrate by Using Whole Cells of <i>Pseudomonas stutzeri</i> Strain SDM

Abstract

2-Oxobutyrate is an important intermediate in the chemical, drug, and food industries. Whole cells of Pseudomonas stutzeri SDM, containing NAD-independent lactate dehydrogenases, effectively converted 2-hydroxybutyrate into 2-oxobutyrate. Under optimal conditions, the biocatalytic process produced 2-oxobutyrate at a high concentration (44.4 g liter(-1)) and a high yield (91.5%).