Work

Biocatalytic Cascade from Geraniol to Enantiopure ( R )-Citronellal Using an Aryl-Alcohol Oxidase and Ene Reductase

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: (R)-Citronellal, a key intermediate for (−)-menthol and other valuable fragrance compounds, is traditionally synthesized by unsustainable chemical methods, with low selectivity. Herein, we report a one-pot enzymatic cascade converting geraniol to enantiopure (R)-citronellal using Streptomyces hiroshimensis aryl-alcohol oxidase ShAAO and ene reductase Saccharomyces cerevisiae OYE2_Y83V. A scale-up reaction at 100 mM geraniol produced 95 mg of (R)-citronellal with an enantiomeric excess of >99.8%, demonstrating a sustainable, preparative-scale, and highly selective route to chiral terpenoids.

Source: Organic Letters

DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6c02985

Authors: Claudia Ferrer-Carbonell, Christian Ascaso-Alegre, Paula Cinca-Fernando, Patricia Ferreira, Juan Mangas-Sánchez, Caroline E. Paul

Institutions: Delft University of Technology, Universidad de Zaragoza, Universidad de Oviedo

Language: English

Topic: Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500