Dihydrocoumarin produced technologically from coumarin by
biotransformation is claimed together with related production variants
that are carried out with the aid of isolated enzymes and/or
microorganisms. Pure coumarin as well as coumarin isolated from a plant
extract or coumarin-containing plant extracts can be used as starting
materials. Selected strains of Saccharomyces, Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas,
Bacillus, Basidiomycetes and Fusarium can be directly used for the
biotransformation or can provide the enzymes required for the
biotransformation. Preferred enzymes are coumarate and coumarin
reductases. A production variant is additionally claimed which starts
with coumarin and which, via o-coumaric acid or via intermediary
dihydrocoumarin, leads to the subsequent melilotic acid which is
subsequently dehydrated to dihydrocoumarin. The dihydrocoumarin obtained
in this manner fulfils all criteria of a natural raw material which is
why the product can also be used as a natural flavouring or for the
production of or as a component of natural, nature-identical and
synthetic flavours as they are typically used in baked goods, sweets,
beverages, cremes, cereal products and milk products.