MICROBIAL BIOTRANSFORMATION OF (R)-(+)- LIMONENE BY <I>Penicillium digitatum</I> DSM 62840 FOR PRODUCING (R)-(+)-TERPINEOL

Abstract

Microbial biotransformation is a relevant strategy to obtain high added value natural compounds under controlled environmentally friendly conditions. In this research work, the biotransformation of (R)-(+)- limonene using Penicillium digitatum DSM 62840 was evaluated. The study variables were the following: culture medium, pH, microorganism growth phase, substrate concentration, and inducing effect of the substrate. The results showed that a concentration of 14.7 mM limonene in the medium named malt yeast broth at a pH of 3.5, inoculated with induced spores at the early stage of the exponential growth, produces a high specificity and the highest concentration (1864 mg/L) of (R)-(+)-α-terpineol. The product obtained has a considerable potential industrial application.

Keywords

• Bioconversion
• biotransformation
• monoterpenes
• fungi
• α-terpineol.