A RENEWABLE CATALYST FOR A RENEWABLE CHEMICAL: GRAM-SCALE CONVERSION OF FURFURAL TO FURFURYL ALCOHOL BY THE CARROT (Daucus carota)

The bioconversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol using only carrot bits in water at room temperature and ambient pressure is presented. This reaction led to the bioreduction of furfural with 99% conversion and 99% selectivity to an alcohol. This simple and “fully” green process may represent an alternative to classic hydrogenation processes. Also, without work-up procedure, we demonstrate the aqueous solution can be submitted to microwave irradiation to obtain 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone.