Vanillin was converted into the corresponding glucoside in suspension-
cultured cells of Ceffea arabica. The maximum efficiency of glucosylat
ion was 85% within 24 h after the addition of 1 mm vanillin when cultu
red in a modified Murashige and Skoog's medium with 5 mum 2,4-dichloro
phenoxyacetic acid and 0.5 muM kinetin. The glucoside was identified a
s 4-formyl-2-methoxyphenyl-0-beta-D-glucopyranoside by H-1-NMR, C-13-N
MR, FAB-MS, and hydrolysis by alpha- and beta-glucosidases. It retaine
d the antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities of vanillin.