Biotransformation of hydroquinone by hairy roots of Brugmansia candida and effect of sugars and free-radical scavengers.
Keywords
Abstract
Hairy roots of Brugmansia candida were used to bioconvert hydroquinone into arbutin. The highest bioconversion, with the lowest damage to the cells, was attained when concentrations of 20-40 mg/L hydroquinone were used. Sugars (sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and sorbitol) at concentrations of 30-120 g/L enhanced bioconversion, and, of these, sucrose was the most effective. Two different free-radical scavengers were also tested: sodium benzoate and gallic acid. The first one diminished biotransformation efficiency; gallic acid did not affect biotransformation at all. Preliminary permeabilization treatments tested failed to liberate arbutin into the medium, and provoked a total loss in cell viability.