BIOCHEMICAL REDUCTION OF 3-OXOALKANOIC ESTERS BY A BOTTOM-FERMENTATION YEAST, SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE IFO-0565

The scope and limitation of a bottom-fermentation yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae IFO 0565) toward the reduction of 3-oxoalkanoic esters were examined. The substrate specificity of this microorganism for various kinds of 3-oxoalkanoic esters was studied. This microorganism was distinct from converntional bakers' yeast in terms of its selectivity in the reduction and its high expression of a hydrolytic enzyme. 3-Oxoalkanoic ester with an aromatic substituent, a halogen substituted 3-oxoalkanoic ester, an aliphatic longer-chain 3-oxoalkanoic ester and its alpha,alpha-difluoro analog were also accepted by this microorganism. The products are useful intermediates in the synthesis of physiologically active compounds.