Optical Resolution of ( RS )-Denopamine to ( R )-Denopamine β-D-Glucoside by Glucosyltransferase from Phytolacca americana Expressed in Recombinant Escherichia coli

The optical resolution of racemic compounds by stereoselective glucosylation was investigated using plant glucosyltransferase from Phytolacca americana expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli. The glucosyltransferase glucosylated chemoselectively the phenolic hydroxyl group of phenol compounds. The (R)-stereoselective glucosylation of (RS)-denopamine by glucosyltransferase occurred to give (R)-denopamine β-D-glucoside.