The stereospecific hydrolysis of mandelate can be effectively catalyzed by hyperthermophilic acylpeptide esterase APE 1547(Aeropyrum pernix esterase 1547). APE 1547 used in this reaction showed a remarkable stereodi-scrimination in favour of R-mandelic acid(99% e.e.) with an enantiomeric ratio E>200. The results of computer simulation are consistent with the experimental results. It can be inferred that the R-substrate adopted a binding mode productive of the reaction due to the formation of the hydrogen bond at the active site of APE 1547.
