Biomaterial Database

Biotransformation of D-limonene to (+) trans-carveol by toluene-grown Rhodococcus opacus PWD4 cells. 2001

W A Duetz, and A H Fjällman, and S Ren, and C Jourdat, and B Witholt

Institute of Biotechnology, ETH Hönggerberg, HPT, CH 8093, Zürich, Switzerland. duetz@biotech.biol.ethz.ch

The toluene-degrading strain Rhodococcus opacus PWD4 was found to hydroxylate D-limonene exclusively in the 6-position, yielding enantiomerically pure (+) trans-carveol and traces of (+) carvone. This biotransformation was studied using cells cultivated in chemostat culture with toluene as a carbon and energy source. The maximal specific activity of (+) trans-carveol formation was 14.7 U (g of cells [dry weight])(-1), and the final yield was 94 to 97%. Toluene was found to be a strong competitive inhibitor of the D-limonene conversion. Glucose-grown cells did not form any trans-carveol from D-limonene. These results suggest that one of the enzymes involved in toluene degradation is responsible for this allylic monohydroxylation. Another toluene degrader (Rhodococcus globerulus PWD8) had a lower specific activity but was found to oxidize most of the formed trans-carveol to (+) carvone, allowing for the biocatalytic production of this flavor compound.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007536	Isomerism	The phenomenon whereby certain chemical compounds have structures that are different although the compounds possess the same elemental composition. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 5th ed)	Isomerisms
D003470	Culture Media	Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN.	Media, Culture
D005421	Flavoring Agents	Substances added to foods and medicine to improve the taste.	Flavor Additives,Flavor Enhancers,Additive, Flavor,Additives, Flavor,Agent, Flavoring,Agents, Flavoring,Enhancer, Flavor,Enhancers, Flavor,Flavor Additive,Flavor Enhancer,Flavoring Agent
D005947	Glucose	A primary source of energy for living organisms. It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state. It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement.	Dextrose,Anhydrous Dextrose,D-Glucose,Glucose Monohydrate,Glucose, (DL)-Isomer,Glucose, (alpha-D)-Isomer,Glucose, (beta-D)-Isomer,D Glucose,Dextrose, Anhydrous,Monohydrate, Glucose
D000077222	Limonene	A naturally-occurring class of MONOTERPENES which occur as a clear colorless liquid at room temperature. Limonene is the major component in the oil of oranges which has many uses, including as flavor and fragrance. It is recognized as safe in food by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).	(+)-(R)-4-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclohexene,(+)-Limonene,(-)-Limonene,(4R)-1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)cyclohexene,(4S)-1-methyl-4-isopropenylcyclohex-1-ene,(D)-Limonene,(R)-(+)-Limonene,(R)-4-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclohexene,1-Methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)cyclohexene,4-Mentha-1,8-diene,AISA 5203-L (+)Limonene,Cyclohexene, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)-, (4R)-,Dipentene,Limonene, (+)-,Limonene, (+-)-,Limonene, (+-)-isomer,Limonene, (R)-isomer,Limonene, (S)-isomer,d-Limonene,4 Mentha 1,8 diene,d Limonene
D000081005	Cyclohexane Monoterpenes	Monoterpenes that include a cyclohexane ring in their structure.	Monoterpenes, Cyclohexane
D001711	Biotransformation	The chemical alteration of an exogenous substance by or in a biological system. The alteration may inactivate the compound or it may result in the production of an active metabolite of an inactive parent compound. The alterations may be divided into METABOLIC DETOXICATION, PHASE I and METABOLIC DETOXICATION, PHASE II.
D012240	Rhodococcus	A bacterial genus of the order ACTINOMYCETALES.
D013045	Species Specificity	The restriction of a characteristic behavior, anatomical structure or physical system, such as immune response; metabolic response, or gene or gene variant to the members of one species. It refers to that property which differentiates one species from another but it is also used for phylogenetic levels higher or lower than the species.	Species Specificities,Specificities, Species,Specificity, Species
D013729	Terpenes	A class of compounds composed of repeating 5-carbon units of HEMITERPENES.	Isoprenoid,Terpene,Terpenoid,Isoprenoids,Terpenoids