Enzymatic synthesis of ( R)-cyanohydrins by a novel ( R)-oxynitrilase from Vicia sativa L.

The defatted seed meal of common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.) served as a source of ( R)-oxynitrilase which catalyzed the enantioselective addition of HCN to aromatic, heteroaromatic, fluoro-substituted aromatic aldehydes to produce the corresponding enantiomeric pure cyanohydrins in yields of 52–100% and 88–99% ee at 12°C under micro-aqueous medium (diisopropyl ether) without addition of buffer solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]