Oxidation reactions are required to produce atranorin from acetate by alginate-immobilized cells of Cladonia verticillaris.

Abstract

Atranorin, a p-depside of the b-orcinol series, is produced by several Cladonia species. Immobilized cells of Cladonia verticillaris in calcium alginate are able to produce atranorin when they are supplied with 1.0 mM acetate as a precursor. Production of the depside is enhanced by adding an oxidant agent (NAD+ or FMN) to the incubation media and its secretion to these media is facilitated by permeabilizing the immobilized cells with 2 % iso-propanol.