Microbial Hydroxylation of Cedrol and Cedrene

Abstract

Abstract Biotransformation of cedrol with 5 different strains afforded 8 previously undescribed hydroxy-cedrols. The attack came from a hemisphere centered at C-12 approximately. At two positions epimeric pairs were formed, which could be avoided by using different strains. Contrary to previous studies of other groups we found the 2-and 12-hydroxylations as main reactions. Cedrene needed prolonged fermentation and gave lower yields than cedrol. Apart from allylic hydroxylations the oxidation pattern by Corynespora cassiicola DSM 62474 of cedrene and cedrol was the same. The structures of the metabolites were elucidated by 2D NMR techniques.