title: Studies of the reductive biotransformation of selected carbonyl compounds by whole cells and extracts of baker's yeast, Saccharomyces carevisiae.
abstract: The progress of reductive biotransformations of a variety of earbonyl compounds by whole cells of baker's yeast was monitored with time. Biotransformations rates ranged from 0.11 to 112.12 mg product formed per g dry yeast per h. While rapid biotransformations of citronellal and ethyl benzoylformate were observed, complete conversion of substrate to product did not occur. Reductive conversions of ethyl- and methyl-acetoacetate went to completion in 6 and 12 h respectively. Ethyl mandelate was produced stereoselectively, favoring the (R)- stereoisomer and ethyl and methyl-3-hydroxybutyrate were produced with (S)-enantiospecificity. Yeast crude extract and resuspended presence of NAD(P)H. Ethyl benzoylformate and methyl-and ethyl-acetoacetate were preferentially reduced by yeast crude extract as compared to resuspended pellet and, in the case of the former two substrates, the reaction manifested a preference for NADPH over NADH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3G1.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Ward