Reductive Biotransformation of Benzaldehyde Derivatives by Baker's Yeast in Non-Conventional Media: Effect of Substrate Hydrophobicity on the Biocatalytic Reaction

The reduction of six derivatives of benzaldehyde, α,α,α-trifluorotolualdehyde, nitrobenzaldehyde, anisaldehyde, fluorobenzaldehyde, tolualdehyde, chlorobenzaldehyde, each of which was substituted in the ortho-, meta- and para-positions, was investigated in whole cell yeast biotransformations conducted in non-conventional media. Correlation between hydrophobic (π) and electronic (σ) parameters of the substituent of the substrate and biocatalytic activity in organic solvent media (hexane containing 2% v/v water) was evaluated. While catalytic activity in general decreased as the substituent hydrophobicity (π) increased, the trend was more pronounced for ortho- substituents compared to meta- and para-. When the electronic parameters (σ) of the meta- and para- substituents were correlated with the catalytic activity, the opposite was observed, namely the catalytic activity increased as the electronic parameter of the substituent increased. This observation was similar for meta- and para- substituents.Preliminary studies on the relationships between solvent and substrate polarity on the one hand and catalytic activity on the other are also presented and discussed.