Bioreduction of aromatic ketones catalyzed by oak fruits (Quercus Ilex L ) fruit grown in north Algeria

The present work primarily aims to investigate and establish a method for the bioreduction of aromatic ketones to produce corresponding alcohols. This process is crucial for the production of various industrially important chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products, and supports the principles of green chemistry. Additionally, this study seeks to valorize the vegetation cover in southern Algeria as a source of biochemical catalysts. Our research focused on the bioreduction of several acetophenone derivatives using the fruits of Oak (Quercus ilex L.) which is cultivated in northern Algeria. The findings indicate that these plant tissues can effectively reduce acetophenone derivatives. Specifically, a chemical yield of approximately 90% was achieved for acetophenone, while yields ranged from 60% to 75% for 4'-haloacetophenones (where X = F, Cl, and Br) and 4'-nitroacetophenone. These results demonstrate that (Quercus ilex L).fruits from northern Algeria can serve as effective biocatalysts in the reduction of aromatic ketones to their corresponding alcohols. This approach not only supports the sustainable production of pharmaceuticals but also provides significant health, environmental, economic, and medical benefits.