The desired product R-(+)-perillic acid was produced from limonen through biotransformation with the bacterium Pseudomonas putida. Perillic acid is used as preservative in cosmetics and pharmacy as natural aromatic substance with anti-microbial effect, it is highly effective already at a very inferior dosage. Meanwhile, the Dr. Rieks GmbH produces perillic acid in the hundred kilogram scale and sample batchs were already tested successfully with customers.  

Ecological advantages  
With limonen a by-product of regrowing raw materials serves as basis for the biotechnological synthesis of the perillic acid which is produced under environmentally friendly conditions. As natural product, perillic acid offers the potential to oust environment- and health-problematic halogen-organic preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. Especially, the reprocessing is advantageous and environmentally-friendly.