Screening, Classification and Distribution ofl-α-Amino-ε-caprolactam-hydrolyzing Yeasts

Abstract

1. Screening of microorganisms which hydrolyzed l-α-amino-ε-caprolactam** into l-lysine from soil was undertaken to establish an enzymatic method of l-lysine production. Several yeast strains were isolated which grew on l-aminolactam and whose cells hydrolyzed it into l-lysine. 2. A taxonomic study on the yeasts isolated was performed and they were classified into three genera and species, Cryptococcus laurentii, Candida humicola and Trichosporon cutaneum. 3. Authentic yeast strains obtained from some organizations were screened for the ability to utilize and hydrolyze l-aminolactam and the above three genera and species were found to possess the ability.