Large-scale Preparation of (R)-(-)-1, 3-Butanediol from the Racemate by Candida Parapsilosis

Abstract

Large-scale preparation of (R)-(-)-1, 3-butanediol (R-BDO), an important chiral synthon, from the racemate by Candida parapsilosis IFO 1396 was investigated. We found that ethanol accumulated during culture enhanced the secondary alcohol oxido-reduction activity of cells. Large-scale preparation of R-BDO was done using a fermentor. 3092g of R-BDO was obtained from the racemate by the use of this strain with 94. 0°C enantiomeric excess.