A broad range of prochiral ketones were efficiently reduced to the corresponding optically active secondary alcohols using resting cells of Rhodotorula sp. AS2. 2241. The microbial reduction system exhibited high activity and enantioselectivity in the reduction of various aromatic ketones and acetylpyridines (> 97% ee), but moderate to high enantioselectivity in the reduction of α-and β-keto esters.(R)-Nifenalol, a β-adrenergic blocker, was also ...