Effects of R-(+)-limonene on submerged cultures of the terpene transforming basidiomycete Pleurotus sapidus

The biotransformation of limonene by the basidiomycete Pleurotus sapidus yi elded cis/trans-carveol and carvone as the main products. The transformatio n period was extended from 4 days after direct addition to 12 days by gas p hase addition of the substrate. After 2 days of transformation, 97% of the substrate had accumulated in the mycelium, while only 3% were present in th e culture medium. Substrate toxicity led to a decrease of dry matter. Adapt ation of the precultures with small amounts of substrate doubled the concen tration of carveol and increased the concentration of carvone by a factor o f 3-4. Total product concentrations of > 100 mg l(-1) were reached. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.