An effective way to biosynthesize α-glucosyl eugenol with a high yield by Xanthomonas maltophilia

Abstract

Context: Eugenol is known for its analgesic, local anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and hair growing effects, the application of which, however, is limited by its low solubility, liability of sublimating, and its pungent smell. Compared to eugenol, its glycosylated derivate [eugenol α-glucoside (α-EG)] has more advantages in application.

Objective: The biosynthesis of α-EG by Xanthomonas maltophilia Hugh (Xanthomonadaceae) BT-112 and the optimum conditions for α-EG production are investigated here.

Materials and methods: The α-EG was obtained by fermentation using Xanthomonas maltophilia BT-112 and purified by macroporous absorption resin. The identity of α-EG is confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

Results: The maximum yield of α-EG reached 10.62 g/L broth when the suspension of Xanthomonas maltophilia strain was incubated at 30°C with 70 mM eugenol and 1.0 M maltose.

Discussion and conclusion: Bio-fermentation was applied in this work to get α-EG with a high mole conversion, which is a potentially efficient and highly promising approach to modify phenolic compounds into glucosides.

Keywords::

• Microbial catalysis
• phenolic compound
• selective α-glucosylation

Acknowledgment

Chang Chen and Min Xiao contributed equally to this work.

Declaration of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest. This work was supported by State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology of China.