MICROBIAL BIOTRANSFORMATION OF (R)-(+)- LIMONENE BY Penicillium digitatum DSM 62840 FOR PRODUCING (R)-(+)-TERPINEOL

microbial biotransformation is a relevant strategy to obtain high added value natural compounds under controlled environmentally friendly conditions. in this research work, the biotransformation of (r)-(+)- limonene using penicillium digitatum dsm 62840 was evaluated. the study variables were the following: culture medium, ph, microorganism growth phase, substrate concentration, and inducing effect of the substrate. the results showed that a concentration of 14.7 mm limonene in the medium named malt yeast broth at a ph of 3.5, inoculated with induced spores at the early stage of the exponential growth, produces a high specificity and the highest concentration (1864 mg/l) of (r)-(+)-α-terpineol. the product obtained has a considerable potential industrial application.