Microbial production of (S)-1-phenyl-1,3-propanediol by stereospecific reduction of 3-hydroxy-1-phenylpropane-1-one

• Published in: Journal of molecular catalysis. B, Enzymatic Vol. 56; no. 4; pp. 283 - 287
• Main Authors: Kira, Ikuo, Suzuki, Takayuki, Onishi, Norimasa, Watanabe, Kazuhiro, Nakanishi, Eizi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: (S)-1-Phenyl-1,3-propanediol; 3-Hydroxy-1-phenylpropane-1-one; Bioconversions. Hemisynthesis; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Optical purity; Stereospecific reduction; Williopsis saturnus var. mrakii; Stereospecific reduction; (S)-1-Phenyl-1,3-propanediol; Optical purity; Williopsis saturnus var. mrakii; 3-Hydroxy-1-phenylpropane-1-one; Reduction; Production; Stereospecificity; Microorganism; Propanediol
• ISSN: 1381-1177; 1873-3158
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2008.05.013

A novel microbial method of synthesizing (S)-1-phenyl-1,3-propanediol [(S)-PPD] was developed in this study. Our laboratory stock cultures were screened for microorganisms that stereospecifically produced (S)-PPD from 3-hydroxy-1-phenylpropane-1-one (HPPO) using an intact cell system. Of the 828 strains examined (321 bacteria, 233 yeasts and 274 molds), certain strains of Williopsis saturnus var. mrakii and Cryptococcus albidus were found to produce (S)-PPD with over 99% enantiomeric excess (e.e.). Screening identified W. saturnus var. mrakii AJ-5620 as the most productive strain, and this strain was used for further experiments. The (S)-PPD-producing reaction using intact W. saturnus var. mrakii AJ-5620 cells was carried out by successive feeding of HPPO. A total (S)-PPD yield of 9.9g/l was produced in 20h. The molar yield was 81% and the optical purity of the (S)-PPD produced was over 99% e.e.