NOVEL ALIPHATIC EPOXIDE HYDROLASE ACTIVITIES FROM DEMATIACEOUS FUNGI

Epoxide hydrolases were found to be constitutively expressed in demati aceous fungi coincident with secondary metabolite pigment production i n stationary or idiophase. Washed-cell preparations of two fungi, Uloc ladium nti urn CMC 3280 and Zopfiella karachiensis CMC 3284, exhibited affinity for 2,2-dialkylated oxiranes, for which contrasting enantios electivities were observed, but not for aromatic styrene oxide or alic yclic cyclohexene oxide type substrates. Lyophilised preparations of s oluble epoxide hydrolase activities proved to be effective catalysts f or the mild hydrolysis of aliphatic epoxides.