Oxidation of 1-alkenes to 1,2-epoxyalkanes by Pseudomonas oleovorans

Resting cells of Pseudomonas oleovorans PO-1R that had been grown on octane oxidized 1-alkenes containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms and 1,7-octadiene to their corresponding 1,2-epoxides. The microorganism was capable of growing on 1-octene but not on 1,7-octadiene as a sole carbon source. The optimal temperature, pH, and 1-octene concentration for 1,2-epoxyoctane production by the resting cells were 34 to 40 C, pH 7 to 8, and 1.5 mg of 1-octene per ml, respectively. Epoxide concentration reached a maximum after 150 min of incubation and subsequently declined. In the absence of 1-octene, the epoxide was metabolized readily by the resting cells. The amount of 1,2-epoxyoctane produced was dependent on the initial cell concentration. With larger cell populations, the amount of epoxide present after 60 min of incubation was less than the amount observed at lower population densities after the same time period. This relationship was attributed to the rapid depletion of 1-octene at high biomass concentrations and the resultant early initiation of epoxide degradation by the resting cells.