Fortunately, the bugs did not share this prejudice. They grew well, because we fed them tasty goodies. Even microorganisms do not bite the hand that feeds them . Enzymatic Asymmetric Hydrolysis of Epoxides Using Bacterial Epoxide Hydrolases Epoxide hydrolases catalyze the asymmetric hydrolysis of epoxides by forming optically active 1,2-diols. In case the starting epoxide is a racemate, a kinetic resolution may be accomplished, in some instances, the reaction proceeds via a so-called deracemization by producing a single enantiomeric vicinal diol as the sole product.
Nobody knows why, but they develop highly selective epoxide hydrolases.
Although we actually condemn slavery, these bugs are used by us for the asymmetric hydrolysis of epoxides for the synthesis of bioactive compounds, such as vitamins, pheromones, antibiotics and natural terpenoids. Purification and Characterization of a Highly Selective Epoxide Hydrolase from Nocardia EH1. W. Kroutil, Y. Genzel, M. Pietzsch, C. Syldatk, K. Faber, J. Biotechnol. Stereoselectivities of Microbial Epoxide Hydrolases. R. V. A. Orru, K. Faber, Curr.