Biochemistry Insights

Reduction and glycosylation of benzophenone, which is an endocrine disrupting chemical, were investigated using immobilized marine microalga and plant cells from the viewpoint of bioremediation of benzophenone. Immobilized marine microalga of Chrysocampanulla spinifera reduced benzophenone to diphenylmethanol. Immobilized marine microalga of Amphidinium crassum glucosylated diphenylmethanol to the corresponding glucoside. The sequential biotransformation with C. spinifera and A. crassum effectively converted benzophenone into diphenylmethyl glucoside. On the other hand, immobilized plant cells of Catharanthus roseus transformed benzophenone to diphenylmethanol, diphenylmethyl glucoside, and diphenylmethyl primeveroside, which was a new compound, by one-step biotransformation.