Abstract The enantioselective biocatalyzed reduction of the C= C bond of some (Z)-methyl α- halo-β-arylacrylates was investigated. The reaction was performed by baker's yeast fermentation and Old Yellow Enzymes 1–3 mediated biotransformations. The final products were, respectively, enantiomerically enriched (S)-α-halo-β-arylpropionic acids and their methyl esters, and ester hydrolysis was promoted in the whole cell system. High ...