The project "Research and development of marine esterase and enzymatic enantiomeric separation of chiral molecule" directed by Prof. Sun Mi, YSFRI, won the first prize of Shandong Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award in 2014. The prize was announced at the 2013 Shandong Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award conference on 18 April, 2014.

In this project an efficient novel esterase derived from the marine microorganism was obtained with high stability in the acid, alkaline or organic solvent. The production of the esterase was achieved in a 30-ton fermentor and the production method of the immobilized esterase was established. The immobilized esterase converted DL-pantoyl lactone to L- pantoyl lactone (e.e. 98%) with the conversion rate at 45%. This production process was better than traditional chemical engineering process, for the cost of raw material decreased by 70% and the amount of waste water and waste residues discharged were reduced by 65% and 40%, respectively.