Enantioselective 2-hydroperoxylation of long-chain fatty acids in marine algae

Y. Akakabe, K. Matsui, T. Kajiwara-2001 

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Fisheries Science,67 (2) : 328-332  (from Current Contents)

Abstract :

When long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were incubated with crude enzyme of marine green alga Ulva pertusa, the corresponding (R)-2-hydroperoxy acids were found to have high enantiomeric excess (> 99%). In a similar administration experiment, the (R)-2-hydroperoxy acid was obtained from the incubation of palmitic acid with crude enzymes of a variety of marine algae. Thus, we found that not only green algae but also brown and red algae are capable of enantioselective 2-hydroperoxylation of palmitic acid.

(Yamaguchi Univ, Fac Agr, Dept Biol Chem, Yamaguchi 7538515, Japan, e-mail: akakabe@agr.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp)