Immobilized cells of Arthrohacter nitroguajacolicus ZJUTB06-99 capable of producing nitrilase were used for biotransformation of acrylonitrile to acrylic acid. Six different entrapment matrixes were chosen to search for a suitable support in terms of nitrilase activity. Ca-alginate proved to be more advantageous over other counterparts in improvement of the biocatalyst activity and bead mechanical strength. The effects of sodium alginate concentration, $CaCl_2$ concentration, bead diameter, and ratio by weight of cells to alginate, on biosynthesis of acrylic acid by immobilized cells were investigated. Maximum activity was obtained under the conditions of 1.5% sodium alginate concentration, 3.0% $CaCl_2$ concentration, and 2-mm bead size. The beads coated with 0.10% polyethylenimine (PEI) and 0.75% glutaraldehyde (GA) could tolerate more phosphate and decrease leakage amounts of cells from the gel. The beads treated with PEI/GA could be reused up to 20 batches without obvious decrease in activities, which increased about 100% compared with the untreated beads with a longevity of 11 batches.