Sulfoxidation of pro-chiral sulfides using environmental isolates

CHED 251

Ragini Pandita and Marc M. Baum, m.baum@oak-crest.org. Department of Chemistry, Oak Crest Institute of Science, 2275 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
The objective of this project is to study the unique biochemical capabilities of wild type bacteria harvested from Sulfur Mountains, a geological location rich in hydrocarbons.The project involves isolation of pure cultures of bacteria capable of utilising various pro-chiral sulfides as a sole source of carbon; gene sequencing of sulfide-oxidizers; study the biochemical machinery of the environmental isolates; study the optimal conditions for biotransformation; study the products/by-products of biotransformation (e.g., stereospecificity). These results will be discussed in detail.