3.5.5.5	synthesis	nitrilases are important industrial enzymes that convert nitriles directly into the corresponding carboxylic acids	
3.5.5.5	biotechnology	preparation of optically pure carboxylic acids	
3.5.5.5	synthesis	recombinant cells expressing the enzyme are promising catalysts for the synthesis of stable chiral quaternary carbon centers from ketones	
3.5.5.5	synthesis	the enzyme is promising for the enantioretentive transformation of (S)-mandelonitrile	
3.5.5.5	synthesis	the whole cell arylacetonitrilase of Alcaligenes faecalis MTCC 12629 is employed to develop a bioprocess for the synthesis of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid from 4-hydroxyphenylacetonitrile. A fed batch process designed at 500 ml with five feedings of substrate results in 150 mM product formation using 18 U/ml whole cells nitrilase (16 mg/ml dcw) at 45°C and a volumetric and catalytic productivity of 23 g/l and 4.13 g/g dcw/h