Enzymatic Preparation of Coniferaldehyde from Coniferyl Benzoate ex. Siam Benzoin

Siam benzoin is a natural resin that contains up to 65% of coniferyl benzoate. Treatment of this material with an esterase followed by an alcohol dehydrogenase in a one-pot procedure gave 1.5 g/L coniferaldehyde in 36% molar yield. Several lipases and esterases were tested, but only pig liver esterase gave significant results. Various alcohol oxidases and alcohol dehydrogenases were screened for their ability to oxidize coniferyl alcohol to coniferaldehyde. Horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase coupled with a cofactor regeneration system was the most efficient of the enzymes tested.