Bioconversion of cinnamic acid derivatives by Schizophyllum commune

• Published in: Journal of general and applied microbiology Vol. 56; no. 5; pp. 381 - 387
• Main Authors: Nimura, Yoshifumi, Tsujiyama, Sho-ichi, Ueno, Masayoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Applied Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research Foundation 2010; Microbiology Research Foundation; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Benzaldehydes - metabolism; bioconversion; Biological and medical sciences; Cinnamates - metabolism; cinnamic acid derivatives; Coumaric Acids - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Microbiology; p-coumaric acid; p-hydroxybenzaldehyde; Propionates; Schizophyllum - metabolism; Schizophyllum commune; Fungi; p-hydroxybenzaldehyde; Schizophyllum commune; Phenolic acid; Cinnamic acid; Biotransformation; bioconversion; cinnamic acid derivatives; p-coumaric acid; Basidiomycota
• ISSN: 0022-1260; 1349-8037
• DOI: 10.2323/jgam.56.381

To investigate the production of useful phenols from plant resources, we examined the metabolism of cinnamic acid derivatives by a wood-rotting fungus, Schizophyllum commune. Four cinnamic acid derivatives (cinnamic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids) were tested as substrates. Two main reactions, reduction and cleavage of the side chain, were observed. Reduction of the side chain was confirmed in cinnamic acid and p-coumaric acid metabolism. The side chain cleavage occurred in p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid metabolism but the initial reactions of these acids differed. Sinapic acid was not metabolized by S. commune. p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde accumulation was observed in the culture to which p-coumaric acid was added. This suggests that S. commune is a useful agent for transforming p-coumaric acid into p-hydroxybenzaldehyde.