Microbiological transformations 41.: Screening for novel fungal epoxide hydrolases

A search for new fungal epoxide hydrolases is described, which led to the selection of seven strains of interest. The biohydrolyses of various alkyl and aryl epoxides using whole cells of these seven strains are described. The enantio- and regio-selectivity observed proved to be variable depending upon the type of fungus and the substrate structure. However, a general trend was the preferential formation of the diol with (R) absolute configuration at the carbon atom bearing the bulkier substituent.