Process for biological production of amides with R. rhodochrous J-1

In a process for biological production of an amide, wherein a nitrile selected from an aromatic nitrile having 4 - 10 carbon atoms in the aromatic nucleus and an aliphatic nitrile having 2 - 6 carbon atoms is hydrated into the corresponding amide by the action of a nitrile hydratase present in a microorganism, the improvement which comprises contacting said nitrile with cells of the microorganism Rhodococcus rhodochrous J-1 which has been cultured in the presence of cobalt ion contained in a culture medium in an amount of about 5 to 15 mg per liter, calculated as CoCl.sub.2 and in the presence of about 2 to 6 g per liter of an amide or nitrile inducer capable of inducing nitrile hydratase and wherein the culture medium is essentially free of iron ions, to thereby produce nitrile hydratase in said Rhodococcus rhodochrous J-1 and recovering the amide produced.