Synthesis of Optically Active Mandelic Acid via Microbial Oxidation of Racemic 1-Phenyl-1, 2-ethanediol

Abstract

Microorganisms that converted racemic 1-phenyl-1, 2-ethanediol((RS)-1) to optically active mandelic acid (2) were screened for, and Bordetella parapertussis KPPA 20005 was selected as the best strain. This bacterium accumulated 2.0g/liter of (R)-2 (95% e.e.), along with a small amount of benzoylformic (3) and benzoic acid (4) starting from 5.0g/liter of (RS)-1. Production of 3 and 4 were inhibited by adding the substrate together with 0.3 to 3.0% ethanol after growth for 2 days.