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. 1993 Jun;59(6):1977–1980. doi: 10.1128/aem.59.6.1977-1980.1993

Biotransformation of fluorene by the fungus Cunninghamella elegans.

J V Pothuluri 1, J P Freeman 1, F E Evans 1, C E Cerniglia 1
PMCID: PMC182201  PMID: 8328814

Abstract

The metabolism of fluorene, a tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, by Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 36112 was investigated. Approximately 69% of the [9-14C]fluorene added to cultures was metabolized within 120 h. The major ethyl acetate-soluble metabolites were 9-fluorenone (62%), 9-fluorenol, and 2-hydroxy-9-fluorenone (together, 7.0%). Similarly to bacteria, C. elegans oxidized fluorene at the C-9 position of the five-member ring to form an alcohol and the corresponding ketone. In addition, C. elegans produced the novel metabolite 2-hydroxy-9-fluorenone.

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Selected References

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