41. Production of (+)-(S)-Ethyl 3-Hydroxybutyrate and (-)-(R)-Ethyl 3-Hydroxybutyrate by Microbial Reduction of Ethyl Acetoacetate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/hlca.19830660209

The production of (S)-ethyl 3-hydroxybutirate (2) from ethyl acetoacetate (1) in higher yields and with higher optical purity than with the usual procedures was achieved by continuous addition of the substrate 1 and sucrose to an aerated suspension of bakers' yeast.The microbial reduction of 1 by the fungus Geotrichum candidum LINK yields - for the first time - the antipode 3.