Biotransformation of 4-Hydroxybenzen Derivatives by Hairy Root Cultures of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.

The biotransformation of four 4-hydroxybenzen derivatives (1,4-benzenediol (compound 1), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (compound 2), 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (compound 3) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (compound 4)) by the hairy root cultures of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. as a new biocatalyst was investigated. It was found that the substrates were transformed to their corresponding glucosides, 4-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucopyranoside (arbutin, compound 1a), 4-hydroxymethylphenyl β-D-glucopyranoside (gastrodin, compounds 2a, 3a) and 4-carboxyphenyl α-Dglucopyranoside (compound 4a), respectively. In the meantime, the hairy roots of P. multlflorum were able to stereoselectively and regioselectively glucosylate phenolic hydroxyl groups of compounds 1-4, but the cultures could not glucosylate the aldehyde group of compound 2 or the benzylic hydroxyl group of compound 3, and no glucosyl esterification of carboxyl groups of compound 4 was detected. On the other hand, the result also showed that the hairy roots of P. multiflorum were able to reduce the 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde to its corresponding alcohol.This is the first report that substrate 4 has been converted into its α-D-glucopyranoside by a plant biotransformation system.