Biotransformation of aliphatic and aromatic ketones, including several monoterpenoid ketones and their derivatives by five species of marine microalgae

The biotransformation of a series of aliphatic and aromatic ketones by five cultures of photosynthetic microalgae is reported. The test substrates include the monoterpenoid ketones carvone and menthone and a series of aromatic ketones related to and including acetophenone. All of the test organisms show some degree of specificity and stereoselectivity in the biotransformation of substrates. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.