Biotransformation of Geraniol to Geranic Acid Using Fungus Mucor irregularis IIIMF4011

Geraniol is an important component in essential oils of aromatic plants such as lemongrass, rosa grass, and many others. It can be converted to different high-value products by using microbes/enzymes. The present study aims at the isolation and screening of microbes showing efficient production of geranic acid (a high-value product) from geraniol (a low-value monoterpene). Mucor irregularis IIIMF4011, isolated from the soil sample of Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass), showed biotransformation of geraniol to geranic acid. After optimization of reaction parameters, 97–100% conversion of geraniol to geranic acid was obtained after 72 h of incubation at 28 °C. Furthermore, the biotransformation reaction was also carried out in a 3 L fermentor (working volume 1.5 L), and 98.89% conversion was observed. Therefore, an efficient process of geranic acid production using M. irregularis IIIMF4011 was developed.