CONVERSION OF INDENE TO CIS-(1S),(2R)-INDANDIOL BY MUTANTS OF PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA F1

Two mutation and selection methods were used to isolate mutants of Pse udomonas putida F1 which convert indene to cis-(1S),(2R)-indandiol in a toluene-independent fashion, Using soybean or silicone oil as a seco nd phase to deliver indene to the culture, cis-(1S),(2R)-indandiol, ci s-(1R),(2S)-indandiol, 1,2-indenediol (or the keto-hydroxy indan tauto mer), and the monooxygenation products 1-indenol and 1-indanone were p roduced from indene as a function of time, Similarly the enantiomeric excess of the cis-(1S),(2R)-indandiol produced also increased with inc reasing time, In addition, mutants were isolated which produced cis-(1 S),(SR)-indandiol of lower optical purity which corresponded to reduce d levels of 1,2-indenediol. These data suggest this toluene dioxygenas e produces cis-(1S),(2R)-indandiol of low optical purity and that cis- glycol dehydrogenase plays a role in resolving the two cis-1,2-indandi ol enantiomers.