Patent attributes
The object of this invention is to provide a method which not only maintains the nitrile hydratase activity of a nitrile hydratase-containing cell or a treated material of the cell under conditions where the cell does not grow, but also improves the nitrile hydratase activity of a nitrile hydratase-containing cell or a treated material of the cell whose activity was once reduced. This invention relates to a method of maintaining or improving a nitrile hydratase activity which comprises bringing a nitrile hydratase-containing cell or a treated material of the cell into contact with an oxidizing agent under conditions where the cell does not grow, as well as a method of producing an amide compound from a nitrile compound, which comprises using the cell brought into contact with an oxidizing agent or a treated material of the cell.
