Olefin saturation and acid reduction of 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid and derivatives by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium metabolized 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid in shaking and nitrogen sufficient cultures. Metabolites identified included 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid, dimethoxycinnamyl alcohol and 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)- 1-propanol. Significantly smaller amounts of veratryl and vanillyl alcohol were also present. The abundance of the propionic acid and the propanol as metabolic products indicate that olefin saturation and acid reduction are important reactions catalysed under these conditions. Metabolites identified from the metabolism of 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-propionic acid included the above 1-propanol as well as veratryl and vanillyl alcohol; the identification of these benzyl alcohol derivatives as metabolites suggests that α,β-bond cleavage of this substrate was preceded by alkane hydroxylation at the α-position.