Bioreduction of (-)-achalensolide using pure strains of penicillium sp. and rhizopus sp.

Abstract

Natural products and related structures are an important source of compoundswith biological activity. Biotransformations of organicmolecules provides the ability to obtain new compounds which can be tested. This technique has the advantage of enabling functionalized organic compounds using enzymes in microorganisms through simple reactions, in a regio-and stereoselective way, in mild conditions and avoiding polluting the environment. In order to look for new active compounds, pure strains of phytopatogenic fungi Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus sp., were used to transform the sesquiterpene lactone (-)-achalensolide in a regio and streoselective way to obtain one reduced metabolite, 11â,13- dihydroachalensolide. A two stages standard protocol was used and after isolation and purification of product, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy allowed to confirmits structure. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and Artemia salina in vitro assays were done to test starting material and product obtained. They showed weak similar activity when compared to reference compounds, so structural modification had no effect on it.