Microbial Reduction of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids

Abstract

Several benzoic, cinnamic and phenylacetic acid derivatives were screened with 20 microorganisms, mainly fungi, for the reduction of their carboxylic function. For all organisms several compounds were reduced in fairly good yields up to 80% to the corresponding alcohol. No general rule could be established, concerning the substitution pattern, as to which compounds were transformed to the alcohol. Generally the reactions were accomplished within 48-70h. Only minor, if any, side products were detected. Dicarboxylic acids, such as phthalic or phenylglutaric acids and similar compounds could not be reduced by the microorganisms tested.