Biotransformation of 1,8-cineole, the main product of Eucalyptus oils

• Paula Rodríguez ^[1] ; Wilson Sierra ^[1] ; Sonia Rodríguez ^[1] ; Pilar Menéndez ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad de la República

     Universidad de la República

     Uruguay

     
• Localización: Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, ISSN-e 0717-3458, Vol. 9, Nº. 3, 2006
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The forest industry in Uruguay has grown considerably during the last decade. Eucalyptus plantations account for 74% of the forested land, with Eucalyptus globulus being the most widely distributed species. This industry is dedicated exclusively to the production of wood without exploiting the by-products (leaves and small branches). Eucalyptus leaves are known to contain important amounts of essential oils composed primarily of 1,8-cineole (1,3,3-trymethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). In this work, the biotransformation of 1,8-cineole, is achieved using a native bacterium (Rhodococcus sp.) which was isolated from the soil of Eucalyptus forest. A 98% of bioconversion was achieved. Three different optically pure compounds were obtained, and they were identified as 2-endo-hydroxy-1,8-cineole, 2-exo-hydroxy-1,8-cineole and 2-oxo-1,8-cineole.