Biotransformation from geraniol to nerol by immobilized grapevine cells (V-vinifera)

The abilities of two grapevine cell suspensions (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Gamay Freaux and Vitis vinifeua L. cv. Monastrell) to biotransform geraniol into nerol in a biphasic system based on the culture medium and Miglyol 812 were compared. The Gamay grape cell suspension was able to transform higher concentrations of geraniol into nerol than the Monastrell one. Gamay grape cells were immobilized in both calcium alginate beads and polyurethane foams. The cytotoxic effect of increasing concentrations of geraniol, as well as the ability of the immobilized cells to biotransform geraniol into nerol, was checked. Immobilization proved to be advantageous in protecting cells against the toxicity of the substrate. Furthermore, immobilization also seemed to have an effect on the secondary metabolism, the cells immobilized in polyurethane foams being more efficient at performing the isomerization process (40% conversion of geraniol into nerol) than both the freely suspended and calcium alginate immobilized cells (20% conversion).