Biotransformation of aliphatic and aromatic ketones, including several monoterpenoid ketones and their derivatives by five species of marine microalgae.

The biotransformation of a series of aliphatic and aromatic ketones by five cultures of photosynthetic microalgae is reported. The test substrates include the monoterpenoid ketones carvone and menthone and a series of aromatic ketones related to and including acetophenone. All of the test organisms show some degree of specificity and stereoselectivity in the biotransformation of substrates.