Synergen Associates, Inc.

Robert V Hageman

Michael J Yarus

Donald L Heefner

Robert J Seely

Sally A Sullivan

Mutations are induced in a microorganism selected from the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae or from the species Candida flareri. The resulting mutants are cultured in the presence of a fermentation inhibitor, such as acetaldehyde, ephedrine or PAC-dione, to form colonies having resistance to the inhibitor. Cells from the colonies are isolated and tested for yield of phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC) in a fermentation with benzaldehyde and pyruvate. Yeast cells from the colonies that produce elevated levels of PAC are selected for use in subsequent fermentations. PAC is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of l-ephedrine and d-pseudoephedrine, two well-known medicinal chemicals.

Process for making L-phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC), microorganisms for

Mutations are induced in a microorganism selected from the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae or from the species Candia flareri. The resulting mutants are cultured in the presence of a fermentation inhibitor, such as acetaldehyde, ephedrine or PAC-dione, to form colonies having resistance to the inhibitor. Cells from the colonies are isolated and tested for yield of phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC) in a fermentation with benzaldehyde and pyruvate. Yeast cells from the colonies that produce elevated levels of PAC are selected for use in subsequent fermentations. PAC is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of 1-ephedrine and d-pseudoephedrine, two well-known medicinal chemicals.

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

Robert V Hageman