OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF 2,6-DIMETHOXYPHENOL BY FUNGI AND BACTERIA

An agar plate test was used to screen bacteria and fungi for their ability to oxidatively couple 2,6-dimethoxyphenol. Positive reactions were demonstrated by the production of purple, needle-shaped crystals within the medium. Trametes versicolor and Pseudomonas lemonnieri were found to be the most efficient organisms to catalyse the coupling reaction. These organisms also produced crystals in liquid culture. The coupling reaction was spontaneous at high pH values. A purple product was isolated using TLC and identified as 3,5,3',5'-tetramethoxydiphenoquinone by mass spectroscopy.