1990 Volume 110 Issue 2 Pages 115-119
Debenzylating enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of cetraxate benzyl ester hydrochloride (2) into cetraxate hydrochloride (1, antiulcer agent). Screening and distribution of the debenzylating microorganisms were undertaken to obtain microorganisms with superior debenzylating activities. Many microorganisms including yeast, bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi were found to have the ability of debenzylating 2. The order of the strength of the debenzylating activity toward 2 is fungi>bacteria>actinomycetes>yeast, and that of the hydrolyzing activity toward phenyl ester portion of 2 is actinomycetes>yeast>bacteria>fungi, on the whole. Fungi have the characteristics of secreting the debenzylating enzyme. It was suggested that Aspergillus sp. was one of the most useful microorganisms for the industrial enzymatic preparation of 1 from 2.
