Isomerization of geraniol and geranyl phosphate by enzymes from carrot and peppermint

Cell-free extracts from carrot and peppermint catalysed enzymatic trans-cis isomerization of geraniol and geranyl phosphate to nerol and neryl phosphate, respectively, in the presence of a flavin, a thiol or sulfide and light. Partial reduction of the flavin prior to incubation allowed the reaction to proceed in the absence of light. The reaction was reversible with the equilibrium favoring geraniol and geranyl phosphate.     

Microbial transformation of phytosterols mixture from rice bran oil unsaponifiable matter by selected bacteria

Rice bran sample (12 Kg) was extracted and rice bran oil (RBO ≅ 76.8 g) was saponified. The resulted unsaponifiable matter of RBO (RBO unsap) was qualitatively and quantitatively estimated using different chromatographic analyses. RBO, produced 9.65% unsaponifiable matter with the following contents, cholesterol, 6.75%; stigmasterol, 3.4%; β. sitosterol, 10.23% and campesterol, 4.2%, in addition to unknown phytosterols, hydrocarbons and waxes. Microbial transformation process started by screening of 35 bacterial strains, locally isolated from rice bran, air and soil, using RBO unsap as a carbon and an energy source to produce some pharmaceutically useful C₁₈ and C₁₉ steroids. Moraxella ovis was the most potent isolate for its highest capability to utilize RBO unsap and selectively degrade the phytosterols side-chain producing androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD), androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD), testosterone (T) and estrone (E). The RBO unsap was the best carbon and energy source. Maximum production of the desired products was observed in 36 h, pH 7 and at 30°C by M. ovis.     

Production of food yeasts from the solid fraction of palm oil

Summary Growth parameters of different species of yeast on ammonium soaps have been determined. All tested strains are able to use the solid part of palm oil, transformed into ammonium soaps. Growth parameters are acceptable for industrial use and it is possible to produce single cell protein from this substrate.