title: Resolution of 1,2-epoxyhexane by Rhodotorula glutinis using a two-phase membrane bioreactor.
abstract: Large-scale resolution of epoxides by the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis was demonstrated in an aqueous/organic two-phase cascade membrane bioreactor. Due to the chemical instability and low solubility of epoxides in aqueous phases, an organic solvent was introduced into the reaction mixture in order to enhance the resolution of epoxide. A cascade hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor was used (1) to minimize the toxicity of organic solvents towards the epoxide hydrolase of R. glutinis, and (2) to remove inhibitory amounts of formed diol from the yeast cell containing aqueous phase. Dodecane was selected as a suitable solvent and 1,2-epoxyhexane as a model substrate. By use of this membrane bioreactor, highly concentrated (0.9 M in dodecane) enantiopure (> 98% ee) (S)-1,2-epoxyhexane (6.5 g, 30% yield) was obtained from the racemic mixture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Technology and Nutritional Sciences, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: De Bont
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Weijers
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012248:Rhodotorula / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004852:Epoxy Compounds