Transformation of difluorinated phenols by Penicillium frequentans Bi 7/2.
U Wunderwald, M Hofrichter, G Kreisell, W Fritsche
Index: Biodegradation 8(6) , 379-85, (1997)
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Abstract
The Penicillium frequentans strain Bi 7/2, using phenol as a sole source of carbon and energy, transformed the fluorinated phenols 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5- and 3,4-difluorophenol rapidly. After growth on phenol, resting mycelia of the fungus converted the difluorophenols completely at an initial concentration of 0.5 mM within 6 hours. The corresponding difluorinated catechols were found to be intermediates of all difluorophenols investigated. A relatively unspecific phenol hydroxylase catalyzed this hydroxylation step and showed activities towards all difluorophenols tested. One difluorocatechol was formed from each difluorophenol substituted with fluorine in the ortho-position, whereas two catechols were formed from 3,4-difluorophenol, due to its two vacant ortho-positions. A partial defluorination (50-77%) was observed in all cases.