MICROBIAL HYDROXYLATION OF SCLAREOL

Biotransformation of sclareol with different microorganisms led to 2 a lpha-, 3 beta- and 18-hydroxy-sclareol. Cunninghamella elegans additio nally formed the hitherto unknown 19-hydroxy-sclareol. The phylogeneti c position of a strain is mirrored in its ability to form these metabo lites. The ability of fungi to convert this substrate is higher than t hat of the bacteria. Thus 2 alpha-hydroxy-sclareol is only formed by z ygomycotina and some deuteromycotina. The most active strains belong t o the zygomycotina and basidiomycotina. Within the bacteria, Gram-posi tive bacteria are more active than Gram-negative ones.