Abstract
Lincomycin biotransformation was conducted by using Streptomyces venezuelae and Streptomyces phaeochromogenes cell-free extracts. Reaction products were isolated and identified by MS and NMR spectroscopy as lincomycin sulfoxide and lincomycin sulfone. Both compounds arise also by chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide; this reaction represents a new efficient way for the preparation of lincomycin sulfoxide and lincomycin sulfone and simultaneously excludes the biotransformation of lincomycin using haloperoxidases.