Pseudomonas nitroreducen

Enzymatic production of theanine with glutaminase from Pseudomonas nitro-reducens has been reported. In order to prepare adequate quantities of theanine efficiently. Abelian et al. constructed a reactor by employing immobilized Pseudomonas nitroreducens cells as the catalyst to synthesize theanine continuously from glutamine and ethylamine. Cells of Pseudomonas nitroreducens were immobilized with -carrageenan and filled in columns to construct a bioreactor (figure 16.4). After immobilization, the enzymes in cells became stable and the reactor maintained the synthetic activity for at least several weeks. Based on this industrial method, pure products of theanine have been produced in Japan. 

Tachiki, T., Yamada, T., Mizuno, K., Ueda, M., Shiode, J., and Fukami, H. 1968. y-Glu-tamyl transfer reactions by glutaminase from Pseudomonas nitroreducens IFO 12694 and their application for the syntheses of theanine and y-glutamylmethylamide. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 62 1279-83. 

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