Biotechnology and Environment

Electronic Journal of Biotechnology ISSN: 0717-3458 Vol. 9 No. 3, Issue of April 15, 2006
© 2006 by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso -- Chile  
DOI: 10.2225/vol9-issue3-fulltext-28  
RESEARCH ARTICLE

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

Paula Rodríguez
Cátedra de Farmacognosia y Productos Naturales
Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química
Universidad de la República
Av. Gral Flores 2124, CP 11800
Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel: 958 2 924 40 68
Fax: 958 2 924 19 06
E-mail: paularod@fq.edu.uy 

Wilson Sierra
Cátedra de Farmacognosia y Productos Naturales
Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química
Universidad de la República
Av. Gral Flores 2124, CP 11800
Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel: 958 2 924 40 68
Fax: 958 2 924 19 06
E-mail: wsierra@fq.edu.uy

Sonia Rodríguez
Cátedra de Microbiología
Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Química
Universidad de la República
Av. Gral Flores 2124, CP 11800
Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel: 958 2 924 40 68
Fax: 958 2 924 19 06
E-mail: soniar@fq.edu.uy 

Pilar Menéndez*
Cátedra de Farmacognosia y Productos Naturales
Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química
Universidad de la República
Av. Gral Flores 2124, CP 11800
Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel: 958 2 924 40 68
Fax: 958 2 924 19 06
E-mail: menendez@fq.edu.uy

*Corresponding author

Financial support: CSIC, PDT-DINACYT, PEDECIBA and OPCW.

Keywords: Biocatalysis, Monoterpenes, Eucalyptus, Green Chemistry.

Abbreviations:

BG-11: Blue-Green algal (modified)
FID: Flame Ionization Detector
GC: Gas Chromatography
GC-MS: Gas Mass-Mass Spectrometry
LB: Luria Bertani
TLC: Thin Layer Chromatography

Abstract
Reprint (PDF)

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.

 
Supported by UNESCO / MIRCEN network 
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