Sanitization of immobilized biocatalysts for the production of 6‐aminopenicillanic acid

Five different chemical reagents and γ‐rays were tested for the sanitization of immobilized biocatalysts with high penicillin G acylase (PGA) activity. The most effective chemical reagents were N‐cetyl‐N,N,N‐trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and 2‐isopropyl‐5‐methylphenol (thymol). The optimum concentration of CTAB for the treatment of the immobilized enzyme was 0.25% w/v] and 1 h, for immobilized cells 0. w/v] and 3 h. The optimum concentration of thymol for the immobilized enzyme was found to be 0.1% w/v] and 1 h, for immobilized cells 0.27% w/v] and 2 h. The optimum dose of γ‐rays for the sanitization of the immobilized enzyme was established as 3.2 kGy, for immobilized cells as 4.5 kGy.