Biotransformation of geraniol by Rhodococcus sp. strain GR3

Microbial degradation of geraniol, a natural monoterpene alcohol, was studied using a Rhodococcus sp. strain GR3 isolated from soil. The bioconversion product was identified as geranic acid [(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienoic acid] and its structure was established by 1H-NMR, Fourier-transform IR spectrometry and GC-MS. The optimum temperature for this bioconversion was found to be 30 (degree)C, and the reaction proceeds to a saturation with a time constant of 12.5 h. No appreciable degradation of product was observed using this bacterium.