The　strain　Acinetobacter　sp.　UN-16　with　adrenaline　dehydrogenase　could　catalyze　adrenalone　to　(R)-(-)-epinephrine.　For　the　asymmetric　biosynthesis　of　(R)-(-)-epinephrine　with　whole　cells　of　Acinetobacter　sp.　UN-16,　ten　different　hydrophilic　ionic　liquids　were　successfully　tested.　The　diverse　water-ionic　liquid　systems　showed　significant　but　different　influences　on　the　initial　reaction　rate,　yield,　and　reduction　activity.　Of　all　the　tested　ionic　liquids,　[HOOCEMIM]NO3　showed　good　biocompatibility,　moderately　increased　cell　membrane　permeability,　markedly　improved　reaction　efficiency　and　best　biotransformation　results.　©　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry2016.