Biotransformation of hydroquinone by hairy roots of Brugmansia candida and effect of sugars and free-radical scavengers.
Hairy roots of Brugmansia candida were used to bioconvert hydroquinone into arbutin. The highest bioconversion, with the lowest damage to the cells, was attained when concentrations of 20-40 mg/L hydroquinone were used. Sugars (sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and sorbitol) at concentrations of 30-120 g/L enhanced bioconversion, and, of these, sucrose was the most effective. Two different free-radical scavengers were also tested: sodium benzoate and gallic acid. The first one diminished biotransformation efficiency; gallic acid did not affect biotransformation at all. Preliminary permeabilization treatments tested failed to liberate arbutin into the medium, and provoked a total loss in cell viability.
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Cátedra de Microbiología Industrial y Biotecnología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires Junín 956 6to, piso (CP: 1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Pitta-Alvarez
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Giulietti
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