Microbial biotransformation of α -(+) - pinene by newly identified strain of Gluconobacter Japonicus mtcc 12284

A newly identified acetic acid bacterial strain Gluconobacter japonicus MTCC 12284 isolated from decayed yellow orange citrus fruits (mandarins) collected from distant locations in Navi Mumbai fruit market biotransformed the terpene hydrocarbon α-(+)-pinene and produced valuable aromatic chemicals, verbenol, verbenone, alpha terpineol and trans-sobrerol. Products were identified by mass spectrometry and quantified by gas chromatography. Under reaction conditions, from 1%v/v of α-(+)-pinene the valuable aromatic chemical verbenone concentration observed was 6.2mg in 30ml of production media (equivalent to a molar yield of 2.18 %) showing 95.6% substrate conversion in 7 days of incubation. The optimal conditions in the biotransformation medium were 1% glucose concentration, a pH of 7.0 and 30°C temperature.The products obtained have considerable industrial potential.