Enantioselective oxidation of (RS)-2-phenyl-1-propanol to (S)-2-phenylpropanoic acid with Gluconobacter oxydans: Simplex optimization of the biotransformation

The microbial oxidation of racemic 2-phenyl-1-propanol by Gluconobacter oxydans DSM 50049 was investigated. Whole bacterial cells were used to produce (S)-(+)-2-phenylpropanoic acid with high enantiomeric excess (E>200). A simplex sequential method was employed as an experimental design to guide the optimization process. Temperature of 26-28°C, pH 6.0-6.2, substrate concentration of 20-25 mM and agitation of 150 rpm have been found the best conditions to achieve the highest reaction rates and enantioselectivities.