Biotransformation of Monoterpenes by Mentha Cell Lines: Conversion of Pulegone to Isomenthone

Abstract

Cell suspension lines derived from six Mentha strains having different mono–terpene compositions were established. In an attempt to use these cell lines for the study of monoterpenes' biogenesis, pulegone was administered for several hours to the corresponding cell suspensions and the chloroform extracts were analyzed by GLC. Four of the six cell lines did convert pulegone into isomenthone. Cell densities, precursor concentration and incubation time affected the biotransformation of pulegone to isomenthone to various degrees. Under some conditions, all the pulegone was converted by the cell suspensions.

Key Word Index

Biotransformation - Cell Cultures - Monoterpenes - Pulegone - Isomenthone - Mentha