Biocatalytic reduction of α-keto amides to (R)-α-hydroxy amides using Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330

Biocatalytic reduction of primary and secondary α-keto amides was accomplished using whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330. The primary (R)-α-hydroxy amides were obtained in good enantiomeric excess (up to 94%) and conversion (88–99%) as compared to the secondary (R)-α-hydroxy amides.

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► Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 catalyzed reduction of both primary and secondary α-keto amides.
► Type of N-substitution (alkyl or aryl) in the secondary α-keto amides significantly affected the bioreduction.
► Primary α-keto amides gave good ee and yield of the corresponding (R)-α-hydroxy amides than secondary α-keto amides.