An enzymatic route for terpene oxidation. (Fine Chemicals).(from researchers at Oxford University)(Brief Article)

Chemical Week, August, 2002 by Scott, Alex

Researchers at Oxford University (Oxford, U.K.) say they have developed an enzymatic route for selectively oxidizing derivatives of terpenes to produce chiral compounds for the flavors, fragrances, and pharmaceutical industries. They say the process provides a high yield of the end product, is more efficient and selective than traditional chemical routes, and could open the door to a range of new products.

Initial work has demonstrated the oxidation of a series of flavors and fragrances including limonene to isopiperitenol or carveol; camphor to 5-exo-hydroxycamphor; and valencene to nootkatone. The enzymes are from the same family used to catalyze mono-oxygenation and are expressed in E. coli bacteria, enabling fast scale-up to commercial volumes, the...

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