DE-ESTERIFICATION OF CEPHALOSPORIN PARA-NITROBENZYL ESTERS BY MICROBIAL ENZYMES

Abstract

Bacteria and actinomycetes were screened for esterase enzymes capable of removing the para-nitrobenzyl ester from cephalosporins. An esterase preparation from Bacillus subtilis was used to prepare cephalexin and 7-ADCA from the corresponding para-nitrobenzyl esters.