Biotransformation of acetophenone with immobilized cells of carrot, tobacco and Gardenia

Abstract

Immobilized cells of Daucus carota transformed acetophenone into ( S)-α-phenethyl alcohol by a stereoselective reduction pathway. Immobilized cells of Nicotiana tabacum also transformed the same substrate into the ( S)-alcohol, but neither stereoselective reduction nor stereoselective oxidation was observed in the biotransformation process. ( R)- and ( S)-α-phenethyl alcohol of a high enantiomeric purity of > 99% ee can be prepared by the biotransformation of acetophenone with immobilized cells of Gardenia jasminoides and Daucus carota.