Published May 1993
Nitto Chemical Industry started commercial production of acrylamide by enzymatic hydration of acrylonitrile in 1985. Since then, Nitto has replaced the initial (first generation) microorganism used in the process, first with a second generation microorganism and then with a third generation microorganism. The annual production capacity was also expanded from the initial 8.8 million lb (4,000 t) to 44 million lb (20,000 t) in 1991.
The third generation microorganism (Rhodococcus rhodochrous J1) reportedly has a much higher enzymatic activity and thermal stability than the first and second generation microorganisms (Rhodococcus sp. N-774 and Pseudomonas chlororaphis B23). It also reportedly can tolerate a higher acrylamide concentration.
From published information, we have prepared a preliminary economic estimate for the production of acrylamide in the form of a 50% aqueous solution by an enzymatic hydration process in which the third generation microorganism is grown and immobilized in polyacrylamide gel in batches and acrylamide is produced continuously from acrylonitrile through a series of fixed beds of the immobilized cells.
