Bioconversion of α- and β-pinene by Pseudomonas sp. strain PIN

A soil pseudomonad capable of metabolizing either α- or β-pinene as sole carbon and energy source was isolated with an enrichment culture. Culture broth in mineral media gave rise to a pine-like aroma during the initial fermentation stage and a fresh rose-like aroma during the late fermentation stage. No growth inhibition was found up to 10% pinenes concentration. The bioconversion products of α-pinene were identified as limonene, p-cymene, α-terpinolene, camphor, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, endo-borneol, and p-cymene-8-ol. The bioconversion products of β-pinene were the same except for the presence of fenchyl alcohol and the absence of camphor. Most of the accumulated products were p-menthene derivatives such as p-cymene, limonene, and α-terpinolene in both substrates. Total bioconversion was 33.5% of α-pinene and 58.8% of β-pinene.