The forest industry in Uruguay has grown considerably during the last
decade. Eucalyptus plantations account for 74% of the forested land,
with Eucalyptus globulus being the most widely distributed species.
This industry is dedicated exclusively to the production of wood
without exploiting the by-products (leaves and small branches).
Eucalyptus leaves are known to contain important amounts of essential
oils composed primarily of 1,8-cineole
(1,3,3-trymethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). In this work, the
biotransformation of 1,8-cineole, is achieved using a native bacterium
( Rhodococcus sp.) which was isolated from the soil of Eucalyptus
forest. A 98% of bioconversion was achieved. Three different optically
pure compounds were obtained, and they were identified as
2-endo-hydroxy-1,8-cineole, 2-exo-hydroxy-1,8-cineole and
2-oxo-1,8-cineole