Production of hydroquinol from p-benzoquinone using yeast

Reduction of p-benzoquinone to hydroquinol has been studied using Saccharomyces cerevisae and S.uvarum. Maximum conversion of p-Benzoquinone (p-BQ) to Hydroquinol (HQ) at a substrate concentration of 6%. S. cerevisae was found to be better than S. uvarum. No further conversion did take place after 60 hr. Optical innoculam density was found to be 5-6% (v/v). The pH optima was observed at pH value 5.50. No significant improvement could be observed by doping acetone, which solubilizes p-BQ, to the medium.