Two bicyclic lactones with gem-dimethylcyclohexane rings (δ-bromo-γ-lactone and δ-iodo-γ-lactone) were used as substrates for biotransformation by whole cells of several fungal strains (five cepas Fusarium, Nigrospora oryzae, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Stemphylium botryosum, Cunninghamella japonica and Acremonium sp). Some of the selected microorganisms (mainly Fusarium strains) transformed these lactones by hydrolytic dehalogenation into cis-(-)-2-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-9-oxabicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-8-one. The conversion of the substrate was equal or close to 100%, showing that this method allows for the complete removal of the halogen atom from the molecule, replacing it by a hydroxy group. The structures of all substrates and products were established on the basis of their spectral data. Hydroxylactone obtained as a result of biotransformation was examined for its biological activity against bacteria, yeasts and fungi. This compound inhibits the growth of some tested microorganisms.
lactones; biotransformations; hydrolytic dehalogenation; Fusarium species; antimicrobial activity
