Fungal biotransformation of monoterpenes found in agro-industrial residues from orange and pulp industries into aroma compounds: Screening using solid phase microextraction

The biotransformation of monoterpenic agro-industrial wastes (turpentine oil and essential orange oil) was studied. More than 40 fungal strains were isolated from Brazilian tropical fruits and eucalyptus trees and screened for biotransformation of the waste substrates. Solid phase microextraction was used to monitor the presence of volatile compounds in the headspaces of sporulated surface cultures. The selected strains were submitted to submerged liquid culture. The biotransformation of R-(+)-limonene and alpha-, beta- pinenes from the oils resulted in a-terpineol and perillyl alcohol, and verbenol and verbetione, respectively, as the main products. The selected strains were also placed in contact with alpha- and beta-pinenes standards. It was confirmed that verbenol, verbenone, and a-terpineol were biotransformation products from the terpenes. A concentration of 90 mg/L of verbetione was achieved by Penicillium sp. 2360 after 3 days of biotransformation.161374