Bioreduction of aromatic aldehydes and ketones by fruits' barks of Passiflora edulis

A series of ketones and aldehydes were reduced using plant cell preparations from fruits' barks of Passiflora edulis in water as solvent. The reduced products were obtained in very good yields, and low to moderate enantiomeric excesses were reached with aromatic ketones and a beta-ketoester. This is the first time that the biotransformation of carbonyl compounds have been successfully achieved using Passiflora species. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.