Biotransformations of aryl alkyl sulfides by whole cells of white-rot Basidiomycetes

White-rot Basidiomycetes promoted the oxidation of aromatic pro-chiral sulfides into sulfoxides with good enantioselectivity, conversion and a small production of sulfones. The reactions were carried out using whole cells of Irpex lacteus, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Trichaptum byssogenum, Trametes rigida, Trametes versicolor and Trametes villosa. The enantioselectivity for all the aryl alkyl sulfoxides was in favor of (S)-enantiomers. Oxidation of (phenylpropyl)sulfide produced (S)-(phenylpropyl)sulfoxide with high enantiomeric excess (e.e. ≥99%) by all the Basidiomycetes employed. Basidiomycetes isolated from Brazilian biomes were used as biocatalysts in the oxidation reaction.