Lentinus strigellus: a new versatile stereoselective biocatalyst for the bioreduction of prochiral ketones

Growing cells of the basiodiomycete Lentinus strigellus in potato-dextrose broth have been used for the first time as a biocatalyst in the stereoselective reduction of aromatic and aliphatic ketones. Most of the aromatic ketones were converted into the corresponding optically active alcohols ill Up to > 99% enantiomeric excess under very mild reaction conditions. Among the aliphatic ketones tested, 2-octanone was enzymatically reduced by this microorganism to enantiopure (S)-2-octanol with almost complete conversion. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All Fights reserved.