Process for making L-phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC), microorganisms for use in the process, and a method of preparing the microorganisms
US5312742A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 17, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/942
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Mutations are induced in a microorganism selected from the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae or from the species Candida flareri. The resulting mutants are cultured in the presence of a fermentation inhibitor, such as acetaldehyde, ephedrine or PAC-dione, to form colonies having resistance to the inhibitor. Cells from the colonies are isolated and tested for yield of phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC) in a fermentation with benzaldehyde and pyruvate. Yeast cells from the colonies that produce elevated levels of PAC are selected for use in subsequent fermentations. PAC is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of l-ephedrine and d-pseudoephedrine, two well-known medicinal chemicals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.