Synthesis of enantiopure ( S )‐6‐chlorochroman‐4‐ol using whole‐cell Lactobacillus paracasei biotransformation

Microbial synthesis of enantiopure (S)-2-methylbutanoic acid via L-isoleucine catabolism in Bacillus spizizenii

Enantiopure (S)-2-methylbutanoic acid [(S)-2-MBA] is a high-value chiral compound with applications in fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. However, conventional chemical synthesis lacks stereoselectivity, while existing biosynthetic methods suffer from low yield and purity. Here, we report a novel microbial process using Bacillus spizizenii ATCC 6633 for efficient (S)-2-MBA production via L-isoleucine catabolism. Through targeted screening of rhizospheric soil isolates and Bacillaceae strains, ATCC 6633 demonstrated superior performance, producing 3.67 g/L (S)-2-MBA with 99.32% enantiomeric excess (ee) under optimized conditions (45 °C, 8% inoculation, 5 g/L glucose, and 8 g/L L-isoleucine). A 58.92% conversion efficiency was achieved, and a simplified purification process recovered 63.90% product with 97.32% purity. Mechanistic studies suggested glucose depletion triggered (S)-2-MBA accumulation, aligning with starvation-induced secondary metabolism. This cost-effective, eco-friendly approach eliminates racemic separation steps and harsh reagents, positioning ATCC 6633 as a promising biocatalyst for sustainable (S)-2-MBA production.

Microbial alcohol dehydrogenases: recent developments and applications in asymmetric synthesis

Alcohol dehydrogenases are a well-known group of enzymes in the class of oxidoreductases that use electron transfer cofactors such as NAD(P)+/NAD(P)H for oxidation or reduction reactions of alcohols or carbonyl compounds respectively. These enzymes are utilized mainly as purified enzymes and offer some advantages in terms of green chemistry. They are environmentally friendly and a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical synthesis of bulk and fine chemicals. Industry has implemented several whole-cell biocatalytic processes to synthesize pharmaceutically active ingredients by exploring the high selectivity of enzymes. Unlike the whole cell system where cofactor regeneration is well conserved within the cellular environment, purified enzymes require additional cofactors or a cofactor recycling system in the reaction, even though cleaner reactions can be carried out with fewer downstream work-up problems. The challenge of producing purified enzymes in large quantities has been solved in large part by the use of recombinant enzymes. Most importantly, recombinant enzymes find applications in many cascade biotransformations to produce several important chiral precursors. Inevitably, several dehydrogenases were engineered as mere recombinant enzymes could not meet the industrial requirements for substrate and stereoselectivity. In recent years, a significant number of engineered alcohol dehydrogenases have been employed in asymmetric synthesis in industry. In a parallel development, several enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods have been established for regenerating expensive cofactors (NAD+/NADP+) to make the overall enzymatic process more efficient and economically viable. In this review article, recent developments and applications of microbial alcohol dehydrogenases are summarized by emphasizing notable examples.

Engineered Alcaligenes sp. by chemical mutagen produces thermostable and acido-alkalophilic endo-1,4-β-mannanases for improved industrial biocatalyst

This study reported physicochemical properties of purified endo-1,4-β-mannanase from the wild type, Alcaligenes sp. and its most promising chemical mutant. The crude enzymes from fermentation of wild and mutant bacteria were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange and gel-filtration chromatography followed by an investigation of the physicochemical properties of purified wild and mutant enzymes. β-mannanase from wild and mutant Alcaligenes sp. exhibited 1.75 and 1.6 purification-folds with percentage recoveries of 2.6 and 2.5% and molecular weights of 61.6 and 80 kDa respectively. The wild and mutant β-mannanase were most active at 40 and 50 °C with optimum pH 6.0 for both and were thermostable with very high percentage activity but the wild-type β-mannanase showed better stability over a broad pH activity. The β-mannanase activity from the parent strain was stimulated in the presence of Mn2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Mg2+ and Na+. Vmax and Km for the wild type and its mutant were found to be 0.747 U//mL/min and 5.2 × 10-4 mg/mL, and 0.247 U/mL/min and 2.47 × 10-4 mg/mL, respectively. Changes that occurred in the nucleotide sequences of the most improved mutant may be attributed to its thermo-stability, thermo-tolerant and high substrate affinity- desired properties for improved bioprocesses.

Cesium Carbonate-Promoted Reaction of Nitro-Substituted Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes with Salicylaldehydes in Water: Access to Chromane Derivatives

Nitro-substituted donor-acceptor cyclopropanes react with salicylaldehydes in the presence of cesium carbonate in water to give new chromane derivatives. The reaction takes place through in situ formation of allene intermediates from the cyclopropanes and subsequent Michael-initiated ring closure of the intermediates with salicylaldehydes.

Influence of anaerobic biotransformation process of agro-industrial waste with Lactobacillus acidophilus on the rheological parameters: case of study of pig manure

This study evaluated the rheological behavior of the pig waste biotransformation process to produce lactic acid (LA) and biomass with Lactobacillus acidophilus in a stirred reactor. In addition, cell growth, carbohydrate consumption, and LA production were measured at three different agitation speeds, 100, 150, and 200 rpm at 37 °C, with a reaction time of 52 h. During the development of the process, the kinetic and rheological parameters were obtained using the logistic, Gompertz, generalized Gompertz, Ostwald de Waele, and Herschel-Bulkley mathematical models, respectively. The substrate used was pig manure, to which molasses was added at 12% v/v to increase the concentration of carbohydrates. The results suggest that mass exchange is favorable at low agitation speeds. Nevertheless, the presence of molasses rich in carbohydrates as a carbon source modifies the characteristics of the fluid, dilatant (n > 1) at the beginning of the process to end up as pseudoplastic (n < 1) due to the addition of exopolysaccharides and the modification of the physical structure of the substrate. This effect was confirmed by the Herschel-Bulkley model, which presented a better fit to the data obtained, in addition to finding a direct relationship between viscosity and pH that can be used as variables for the control of bioconversion processes of pig manure into biomass rich in Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Biocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of (R)-1-tetralol using Lactobacillus paracasei BD101

Asymmetric bioreduction of ketones is a fundamental process in the production of organic molecules. Compounds containing tetralone rings are found in the structure of many biologically active and pharmaceutical molecules. Biocatalytic reduction of ketones is one of the most promising and significant routes to prepare optically active alcohols. In this study, the reductive capacity of Lactobacillus paracasei BD101 was investigated as whole-cell biocatalyst in the enantioselective reduction of 1-tetralone (1). In biocatalytic reduction reactions, the conversion of the substrate and the enantiomeric excess (ee) of the product are significantly affected by optimization parameters such as temperature, agitation rate, pH, and incubation time. Effects of these parameters on ee and conversion were investigated comprehensively. (R)-1-tetralol ((R)-2), which can be used to treat disorder such as obsessive compulsive, post-traumatic stress, premenstrual dysphoric, and social anxiety, was manufactured in enantiopure form, high yield and gram-scale, using whole-cell biocatalysts of L. paracasei BD101. The 7.04 g of (R)-2 was obtained in optically pure form with 95% yield. Also, to our knowledge, this is the first report on production of (R)-2 using whole-cell biocatalyst in excellent yield, conversion, enantiopure form and gram scale. This is a clean, eco-friendly and cheap method for the synthesis of (R)-2 compared with chemical catalyst.

Biosynthesis of chiral cyclic and heterocyclic alcohols via CO/C–H/C–O asymmetric reactions

This review covers the recent progress in various biological approaches applied to the synthesis of enantiomerically pure cyclic and heterocyclic alcohols through CO/C–H/C–O asymmetric reactions.