한국생물공학회 정기총회 및 연구논문발표회 발표논문

Production of enantiopure epoxides by yeast epoxide hydrolase using a two-phase membrane bioreactor

Large-scale resolution of epoxides by the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis was demonstrated in an aqueous/organic two-phase cascade membrane bioreactor. Due to the chemical instability and low solubility of epoxides in aqueous phases, an organic solvent was introduced into the reaction mixture in order to enhance resolution of epoxide. A cascade hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor was used (i) to minimize the toxicity of organic solvents towards the epoxide hydrolase of Rhodotorula glutinis, and (ii) to remove inhibitory amounts of formed diol from the yeast cell containing aqueous phase. Dodecane was selected as a suitable solvent and 1,2-epoxyhexane as a model substrate. By use of this membrane bioreactor, highly concentrated (0.9 M in dodecane) enantiopure (>98% ee) (S)-1,2-epoxyhexane (6.5 g, 30% yield) was obtained from its racemic mixture.