Conversion of myrcene by submerged cultured basidiomycetes

Among 15 species screened, strains of Ganoderma applanatum, Pleurotus flabellatus and Pleurotus sajor-caju were found to be most suitable for the production of volatile, oxygenated metabolites from myrcene. Myrcenol and further acyclic monoterpenes as well as monocyclic compounds were identified as a result of hydroxylation at allylic positions, oxygenation and hydration of double bonds, oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds, and formation of carbon-carbon bonds. Types and concentrations of the products depended on strain and conditions of incubation. The low conversion yields were supposedly due to the limited water solubility of the terpenoid precursor substrate.