Bioconversion of bi- and tri-cyclic monophenols by alginate-entrapped cells of Mucuna pruriens L. and by the partially purified Mucuna-phenoloxidase

Although alginate-entrapped cells of Mucuna pruriens L. possess a low substrate specificity, only para-substituted monocyclic phenols have been ortho-hydroxylated into catechols so far. In this study, compounds with more complex chemical structures were found to be substrates using entrapped cells of M. pruriens as well as the partially purified Mucuna-phenoloxidase. Thus, 5-, 6- and 7-hydroxylated 2-aminotetralins and a tricyclic compound, 9-hydroxy N-n-propyl hexahydronaphthoxazine, were converted into catechols. After isolation using preparative HPLC, the identity of the products was confirmed by MS. In general, for the entrapped cells and the enzyme preparation identical substrate specificities were found.This publication is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Alan S. Horn, Ph.D., who deceased at January 2, 1990