Biotransformation of aromatic ketones with cell cultures of carrot, tobacco andGardenia

Immobilized cells of Daucus carota enantioselectively transformed aromatic ketones such as acetophenone and propiophenone, into the corresponding ( S )-alcohols with an optical purity of 89–99% ee in a chemical yield of 54–70%. Immobilized Gardenia jasminoides cells yielded the ( R )-alcohols with a 63–91% ee.