Optimisation of enzymatic synthesis of cefaclor with in situ product removal and continuous acyl donor feeding

Enzymatic synthesis of cefaclor by penicillin acylase (PA) was carried out under kinetic control with in situ product removal (ISPR). We present a continuous acyl donor feeding strategy for enzymatic reactions. Using this strategy, the conversion of the antibiotic nucleus was improved from 65 to 91%, and the hydrolysis of phenylglycine methyl ester (PGME) was decreased. Side product (phenylglycine) production was less than half of that in the control batch. The ratio of synthesis to hydrolysis (S/H) in the process was kept stable for longer and at a higher level than in the control. This is a practical method for enzymatic synthesis of cefaclor.