Biocatalytic synthesis of vanillin.
The conversions of vanillic acid and O-benzylvanillic acid to vanillin were examined by using whole cells and enzyme preparations of Nocardia sp. strain NRRL 5646. With growing cultures, vanillic acid was decarboxylated (69% yield) to guaiacol and reduced (11% yield) to vanillyl alcohol. In resting Nocardia cells in buffer, 4-O-benzylvanillic acid was converted to the corresponding alcohol product without decarboxylation. Purified Nocardia carboxylic acid reductase, an ATP and NADPH-dependent enzyme, quantitatively reduced vanillic acid to vanillin. Structures of metabolites were established by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectral analyses.
Li
T
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Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, and Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Rosazza
J P
JP
D001547:Benzaldehydes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009615:Nocardia / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014641:Vanillic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D001547:Benzaldehydes; C100058:vanillin; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C019825:carboxylic acid reductase; D014641:Vanillic Acid