Process for producing hydroxylated fatty acids and delta-lactones

Abstract

The process which comprises causing cells or a culture of a microorganism having the activity to introduce hydroxy into the [n-5]-position (n is an even number of 10 or more) and hydrogen into the [n-6]-position of a straight-chain fatty acid having n carbon atoms wherein at least the [n-6]-position is a double bond to make the [n-6]-position a single bond or a treated matter thereof to act on a straight-chain fatty acid having n carbon atoms wherein at least the [n-6]-position is a double bond or a composition containing the fatty acid to form an [n-5]-hydroxy fatty acid wherein the [n-6]-position is a single bond, causing cells or a culture of a microorganism having the activity to β-oxidize an [n-5]-hydroxy fatty acid wherein the [n-6]-position is a single bond or a treated matter thereof to act on the formed [n-5]-hydroxy fatty acid, and recovering the formed δ-lactones.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for producing 13-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid, which comprises the steps of: 
 (i) causing cells or a culture of a microorganism having the activity to convert linoleic acid to 13-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid and belonging to the genus Pediococcus or Bifidobacterium, or a treated matter thereof, to act on linoleic acid or a composition containing linoleic acid to form 13-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid; and    (ii) recovering the formed 13-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid.    
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism in step (i) is  Pediococcus pentosaceus  or  Bifidobacterium bifidum.    
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism in step (i) is  Pediococcus pentosaceus  IFO3891 or  Bifidobacterium bifidum  JCM7002.  
     
     
         4 . A process for producing 13-hydroxy-9,15-octadecadienoic acid, which comprises the steps of: 
 (i) causing cells or a culture of a microorganism having the activity to convert α-linolenic acid to 13-hydroxy-9,15-octadecadienoic acid and belonging to the genus Pediococcus or Bifidobacterium, or a treated matter thereof, to act on α-linolenic acid or a composition containing α-linolenic acid to form 13-hydroxy-9,15-octadecadienoic acid; and    (ii) recovering the formed 13-hydroxy-9,15-octadecadienoic acid.    
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 4 , wherein the microorganism in step (i) is  Pediococcus pentosaceus  or  Bifidobacterium bifidum.    
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 4 , wherein the microorganism in step (i) is  Pediococcus pentosaceus  IFO3891 or  Bifidobacterium bifidum  JCM7002.  
     
     
         7 . A process for producing 13-hydroxy-6,9-octadecadienoic acid, which comprises the steps of: 
 (i) causing cells or a culture of a microorganism having the activity to convert γ-linolenic acid to 13-hydroxy-6,9-octadecadienoic acid and belonging to the genus Pediococcus or Bifidobacterium, or a treated matter thereof, to act on γ-linolenic acid or a composition containing γ-linolenic acid to form 13-hydroxy-6,9-octadecadienoic acid; and    (ii) recovering the formed 13-hydroxy-6,9-octadecadienoic acid.    
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 7 , wherein the microorganism in step (i) is  Pediococcus pentosaceus  or  Bifidobacterium bifidum.    
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 7 , wherein the microorganism in step (i) is  Pediococcus pentosaceus  IFO3891 or  Bifidobacterium bifidum  JCM7002.  
     
     
         10 . 13-hydroxy-6,9-octadecadienoic acid represented by the following formula (I):