Biotransformation of monoterpenes using strains from the rhizosphere of Martius from in an Amazonian urban forest fragment.

To investigate the biocatalytic potential of Amazonian actinomycetes for monoterpenes biotransformation. To carry out the present study, eleven actinomycetes of the genus isolated from inga-cipó ( Mart.) rhizospheres were tested for their ability to bioconvert the substrates -(+)-limonene, -(-)-limonene, 1-(-)-α-pinene, and (-)-β-pinene as sole carbon and energy source. According to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, three strains, LabMicra B270, LaBMicrA B310, and LaBMicrA B314, were able to biotransform 1-(-)-α-pinene after 96 h of growth. However, LaBMicrA B270 was the most promising since it converted after only 72 h all the 1-(-)-α-pinene mainly into -verbenol (74.9±1.24%) and verbenone (18.2±1.20%), compounds that have important biological activities and great industrial interest as additives in foods and cosmetics. These findings can stimulate the development of natural aromas using naturally abundant monoterpenes, ratify the potential of microorganisms from almost unexplored niches such as the Amazonian rhizosphere, and reinforce the importance of preserving those niches.