An industrial perspective fermentative bioreduction of aromatic ketones by <i>Penicillium rubens</i> VIT SS1 and <i>Penicillium citrinum</i> VIT SS2

Microbial mediated, especially the fungi mediated asymmetric reduction of ketone is one most promising tools for synthesis chiral alcohols. Many fungal cultures were isolated from soil and screened stereo selective bioreduction acetophenone. The potential isolates are characterised using molecular techniques found to be Penicillium rubens VIT SS1 (Genbank ID: MK063869) citrinum SS2 MW960208). Both tested few aromatic ketones such as 4-fluoro acetophenone, 3-hydroxy oxcarbazepine, which key intermediates various pharmaceutical drugs. P. produced (S)-alcohol obeying Prelog’s rule, was anti-Prelog configuration in nature. Preparatory scale reactions conducted optimised process, keto loading significantly increased by 12-fold (from 0.5 6 g/L) with >99% conversion >98% enantiomeric excess. study discloses vast prospective approach exploring filamentous sustainable alcohols an environment-friendly, novel, cost competent way.