Microbiological transformations 41. Screening for novel fungal epoxide hydrolases

A search for new fungal epoxide hydrolases is described, which led to the s election of seven strains of interest. The biohydrolyses of various alkyl a nd aryl epoxides using whole cells of these seven strains are described. Th e enantio- and regio-selectivity observed proved to be variable depending u pon the type of fungus and the substrate structure. However, a general tren d was the preferential formation of the diol with (R) absolute configuratio n at the carbon atom bearing the bulkier substituent. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.