We describe here a new method for the determination of the regioselectivity of the oxirane ring opening involved in the Epoxide Hydrolase (EH) catalysed hydrolysis of epoxides, simply by starting from the racemic epoxide as a substrate. This method also allows to simultaneously determine the E ratio according to Sih's equation, whose applicability in this context is discussed. This approach affords a complete characterization of the biocatalysed epoxide opening, where three different stereochemical behaviours may be distinguished. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.