Production of (R)-1-phenylethanols through bioreduction of acetophenones by a new fungus isolate Trichothecium roseum.

ABSTRACT

A total of 120 fungal strains were isolated from soil samples and evaluated in the bioreduction of substituted acetophenones to the corresponding (R)-alcohols. Among these strains, isolate Trichothecium roseum EBK-18 was highly effective in the production of (R)-alcohols with excellent enantioselectivity (ee > 99%). Gram scale preparation of (R)-1-phenylethanol is reported.