Oxidation of morphine to 2,2'-bimorphine by Cylindrocarpon didymum

Abstract

The oxidation of morphine by whole-cell suspensions and Cell extracts of Cylindrocarpon didymum gave rise to the formation of 2,2'-bimorphine. The identity of 2,2'-bimorphine was confirmed by mass spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. C. didymum also displayed activity with the morphine analogs hydromorphone, 6-acetylmorphine, and dihydromorphine, but not codeine or diamorphine, suggesting that a phenolic group at C-3 is essential for activity.