Microbiological bio-reduction of prochiral carbonyl compounds by antimycotic agent Boni Protect

The selective properties of the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans, in the antifungal agent Boni Protect, were investigated in the fermentative bioreduction of selected carbonyl compounds. Catalyzed by oxidoreductases contained in the microorganism Aureobasidium pullulans highly enantioselective biotransformation of prochiral ketones provides the secondary alcohols when the reaction is done in the presence of specific additives. Aureobasidium pnllulans has also proved to be an effective bioreagent in the reduction of a- and l3-keto esters. Optically pure hydroxy esters were obtained under fermentation conditions without the use of additives.