Lactobacillus kefir Alcohol Dehydrogenase: A Useful Catalyst for Synthesis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00031a037

The alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus kefir simultaneously catalyzes carbonyl reductions and NADPH regeneration in the presence of 2-propanol.Representative synthesis of a number of chiral alcohols was accomplished in good yield and high enantiomeric excess (94-99percent).This NADPH-requiring enzyme transfers the pro-R hydride from the cofactor to the si face of carbonyls to give (R) alcohols.The enzyme exhibits a very broad substrate specificity and high enantioselectivity for the synthesis of chiral aromatic, cyclic, polycyclic, and aliphatic alcohols.