Degradation of cocaine by a mixed culture of Pseudomonas fluorescens MBER and Comamonas acidovorans MBLF

Article Abstract:

A mixed microbial culture consisting of a strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens, MBER, and Comamonas acidovorans, MBLF, uses cocaine as the sole carbon and energy source for growth. Each organism is unable to grow in the absence of the other. MBLF has a cocaine esterase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of cocaine to ecgonine methyl ester and benzoic acid. MBER is capable of growth on benzoic acid or ecgonine methyl ester as the sole carbon source. MBER reduces the level of benzoate, high levels of which are inhibitory for MBLF.

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Biological synthesis of the analgesic hydromorphone, an intermediate in the metabolism of morphine, by Pseudomonas putida M10

Article Abstract:

Pseudomonas putida M10 is capable of dissimilating morphine to morphinone by a highly specific NADP-dependent morphine dehydrogenase. Further characterization of the morphine utilization pathway by M10 showed the presence of a second enzyme involved in the dissimilation of morphine, an NADH-dependent reductase that reduces morphinone to hydromorphone, an important analgesic, and hydrocodone an antitussive. This enzyme has potential applications as a biocatalyst for the synthesis of these therapeutic agents.

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Gene cloning and nucleotide sequencing and properties of a cocaine esterase from Rhodococcus sp. strain MB1

Article Abstract:

Researchers have isolated a cocaine esterase from Rhodococcus sp. strain MB1 that could be used in a biosensor to detect very small quantities of cocaine in blood and urine samples. These same researchers found a bacterial enzyme that could detect nanogram quantities of heroin.

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