1-Acetonaphthone was incubated with the resting cells of Geotrichum candidum, Candida parapsilosis, Yarrowia lipolytica and Rhizopus arrhizus at 28 degreesC for its transformation. The first two microorganisms have shown excellent results leading to the product S(-)-1-(1'-napthyl) ethanol in high yield with selectivity above 99 and 98% in the case of G. candidum and C. parapsilosis, respectively. The pH of the medium, substrate concentration and time of incubation were optimised for the maximum conversion. Adsorbent resin (XAD-7) was used for controlling cell toxicity, substrate and product inhibition. The optimum ratio of substrate: resin was found to be 1:2 for maximum yield with excellent selectivity. Subsequently, a method for the preparative bioreduction (2 g) of acetonapthone was developed by adsorbing the substrate on the resin. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.