Resolution of enantiopure (S)-1-(1-napthyl) ethanol from racemic mixture by a novel Bacillus cereus isolate.

Chiral intermediates have wide application and high demand in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and other biotechnological industries for the preparation of bulk drug substances or fine chemicals. (S)-1-(1-napthyl) ethanol is an important synthetic intermediate of mevinic acid analog and a potential inhibitor of 3-hydroxy methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase enzymes which is rate limiting for cholesterol synthesis. The present study focuses on the resolution of (RS)-1-(1-napthyl) ethanol using whole cell biotransformation approach. The screening of microbial strains for the specific conversion were performed by the enrichment techniques using (RS)-1-(1-napthyl) ethanol. Evaluation of resolution, i.e., the enantioselective conversion of (R)-1-(1-napthyl) ethanol into 1-acetonapthone and production of (S)-1-(1-napthyl) ethanol with high purity were carried out. Among the isolates, a novel strain Bacillus cereus WG3 was found to be potent for the resolution and conversion of (S)-1-(1-napthyl) ethanol. This strain showed 86% conversion of (R)-1-(1-napthyl) ethanol and 95% yield of S-1-(1-napthyl) ethanol with 80% ee after 24 h. Further, the optimization of biotransformation reactions was carried out and the optimal parameters were found to be pH 7.0 and temperature 30 °C.