Biotransformation of limonene to limonene-1,2-diol using an isolated fungus <i>Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae</i> IIIMF4013

Monoterpenes are ubiquitous natural products produced by aromatic plants and have applications in cosmetics, food, flavor, and pharmaceutical industries. Chemical transformation of these monoterpenes to high-value products is challenging, but with the help of microbes, these low-value products are easily converted to high-value products. The present research curtails the development of a biotransformation process for the production of limonene-1,2-diol from limonene. After optimization of production parameters, almost complete conversion of limonene to limonene-1,2-diol was obtained (&gt;99% purity). Further, the process was scaled up from shake flask to 30 L fermenter scale for limonene-1,2-diol production. The biotransformed product was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 1D, and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).