Biotechnological oxyfunctionalisation of pinene waste streams to high-value natural compounds and chiral synthons for the food-, chemcial and pharmaceutical industry

The main goal of this research project is the establishment of a new biotechnological process for regio- and enantioselective oxyfunctionalisation of wood terpenes, especially alpha-pinene. Pinene is extracted from waste material from the wood processing industry with an annual yield of 100,000 t. It is therefore a competitive precursor for the production of high-quality chiral fragrances and agents for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. P450 monooxygenases are capable of oxidizing terpenoids.
The problems of toxicity and poor water solubility of the substrates and products will be solved using a two-phase bioreactor.

Das IGF-Vorhaben Nr. der Forschungsvereinigung DECHEMA e.V., Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25, 60486 Frankfurt am Main wurde über die AiF im Rahmen des Programms zur Förderung der industriellen Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) vom Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages gefördert.