Synthesis of alkyl esters by cutinase in miniemulsion and organic solvent media

The main objective of this work was studying and testing the nature and influence of reaction media (organic solvent vs. miniemulsion system) on the synthesis of alkyl esters catalyzed by Fusarium solani pisi cutinase. Ester synthesis and cutinase selectivity for different chain length of acids and alcohols (ethyl and hexyl) were evaluated. In iso-octane, after 1 h of reaction, cutinase exhibits rates of esterification between 0.24 μmol x mg^–1 x min^–1 for ethyl oleate and 1.15 μmol x mg^–1 x min^–1 for ethyl butyrate, while in a miniemulsion system the rates were from 0.05 for ethyl heptanoate to 0.76 μmol x mg^–1 x min^–1 for ethyl decanoate. The reaction rate for the synthesis of hexyl esters in a miniemulsion system was from 0.19 for hexyl heptanoate to 1.07 μmol x mg^–1 x min^–1 for hexyl decanoate. High conversion yields of 95% at equilibrium after 8 h of reaction in iso-octane for pentanoic acid (C₅) with ethanol at equimolar concentration (0.1 M) was achieved. Additionally, this work showed that a significant and unexpected shift in cutinase selectivity occurred towards longer chain length carboxylic acids (C₈–C₁₀) in miniemulsion system as compared to organic solvent (iso-octane) and previous studies in reverse micellar systems. The possibility of working with higher concentration of substrates, without inhibitory effect on the enzyme, was another advantage of the miniemulsion system.     

Kinetic resolution of amino acid esters catalyzed by lipases

Racemic amino acids were resolved by lipase via hydrolysis of their esters. Lipases (Pseudomonas lipase from Amano PS, Rhizopus lipase from Serva, and porcine pancrease lipase from Sigma) could selectively hydrolyze the L-amino acid esters in aqueous solution with high reactivities and selectivities. The effect of the structural changes in the ester moiety on the stereoselectivity of the lipases was also investigated using D ,L -homophenylalanine as a model. Procedures were developed for the resolution of natural and unnatural amino acids. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Preparation of o-palmitoyl alkyl lactates through lipase atalysis

Preparation of o-palmitoyl alkyl lactates with methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl and butyl lactates were attempted in a complex esterification reaction using lipases as catalysts. Compared to lactic acid, alkyl lactates were found to be less inhibitory in nature as they resulted in slightly better yields at shake-flask level. Of the alkyl lactates tested, butyl lactate showed better esterification. Porcine pancreas lipase gave higher yields of esters than Rhizomucor miehei lipase (Lipozyme IM20).     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of enantiomerically enriched α-hydroxyamides

A study on a chemoenzymatic synthesis of model α-hydroxyamide was performed. Special attention was paid to the optimization of the enzymatic process, both on the selection of enzyme and cosolvent. An intriguing influence of cosolvent on the enantioselectivity of Wheat Germ Lipase and Amano PS Lipase catalyzed hydrolysis was observed, as the results obtained proved that enzyme's enantioselectivity is directly correlated with cosolvent's hydrophobicity. In the best example (Wheat Germ lipase, Et₂O used as a cosolvent), the reaction proceeded with E = 55, and the target compound was obtained in 33% yield with 92.7%ee.     

A novel lipase/acyltransferase from the yeast Candida albicans: expression and characterisation of the recombinant enzyme

A gene encoding an extracellular lipase (CaLIP4) from Candida albicans was successfully expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae after mutagenesis of its unusual CUG serine codon into a universal one. The ability of this lipase, which shares 60% sequence homology with the lipase/acyltransferase from Candida parapsilosis, to synthesise esters was investigated. CaLIP4 behaved as a true lipase, displaying activity towards insoluble triglycerides and having no activity in the presence of short-chain fatty acid (FA) esters and phosphatidylcholine. Methyl, ethyl and propyl esters were efficiently used. The lipase exhibited highest selectivity for unsaturated FA. With saturated FAs, C14–C16 acyl chains were preferred. In a biphasic aqueous/lipid system, CaLIP4 displayed a high alcoholysis activity with a range of alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol) as acyl acceptor. During the course of the alcoholysis reaction, new esters are produced at concentrations above the thermodynamic equilibrium of the esterification reaction, indicating that ester synthesis does not proceed by esterification but mainly by direct acyltransfer. Ester synthesis is under kinetic control due to the high rate of alcoholysis. Unwanted hydrolysis is limited by competition between the acyl acceptor (alcohol) and water for the acyltransfer reaction, favouring the alcohol.     

A new irreversible enzyme-aided esterification method in organic solvents

A new irreversible esterification method for carboxylic acids catalyzed by a lipase from Candida antarctica (Novozyme 435) in organic solvents has been developed. The water produced during the process is chemically destroyed by a corresponding ester of acetoacetate, which acts as a sacrificial substrate in this reaction. The flavour esters isobutyl acetate, methyl butyrate, ethyl butyrate and benzyl butyrate were synthesized either in small scale (0.05 mol) or large scale (1 mol). The yields range from 82 to 92% within 24 h at 52°C. Optimal molar ratios of reactants were 1:1:1 (carboxylic acid:alcohol:acetoacetate).     

Terpene alcohol ester synthesis by polyethylene glycol-modified lipase in benzene

Summary Lipase fromPseudomonas fragi modified with polyethylene glycol was soluble and active in organic solvents such as benzene and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Using the modified lipase, terpene alcohol esters were synthesized with various combinations of terpene alcohols (citronellol, geraniol, farnesol and phytol) and carboxylic acids (acetic-, propionic-, n-butyric-, and valeric acids) in benzene at 25°C. The yield was generally very high.     

Stereoselective enzymatic esterification of 3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropanoic acid

Summary A key intermediate, S-(–)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropanoic acid (1) was made in high optical purity by the lipase-catalyzed stereoselective esterification of racemic 1 with methanol in an organic solvent system. Among various lipases evaluated, Amano P-30 lipase from Pseudomonas sp. efficiently catalyzed the esterification of 1 to yield R-(+) methyl ester and unreacted S-(–) 1. A reaction yield of 40 mol% and an optical purity of 97.2% were obtained for compound 1 at a substrate concentration of 0.1 m (22 mg/ml). Lipase P-30 was immobilized on Accurel polypropylene (PP) and the immobilized enzyme was reused (23 cycles) in the esterification reaction without loss of enzyme acitivity, productivity or optical purity. Among various solvents evaluated, toluene was found to be the most suitable organic solvent and methanol was the best alcohol for the esterification of racemic 1 by immobilized lipase. Substrate concentrations as high as 1.0 m were used in the esterification reaction. When the temperature was increased from 28° C to 60° C, the reaction time required for the esterification of 0.1 m substrate decreased from 16 h to 2 h. On increasing the methanol to substrate molar ratio from 1:1 to 4:1, the rate of esterification decreased. A lipase fermentation using Pseudomonas sp. ATCC 21 808 was developed. In the batch-fermentation process, 56 units/ml of extracellular lipase activity was obtained. A fed-batch process using soybean oil gave a significant increase in the lipase activity (126 units/ml). Crude lipase recovered from the filtrate by ethanol precipitation and immobilized on Accurel PP was also effective: S-(–) compound 1 was obtained in 35 mol% yield and 95% optical purity. Offsprint requests to: R. N. Patel     

Biosynthesis of ethyl caproate and other short ethyl esters catalyzed by cutinase in organic solvent

The main objective of this work was to study the enzymatic synthesis of short chain ethyl esters, a group of relevant aroma molecules, by Fusarium solani pisi cutinase in an organic solvent media (iso-octane), and to assess the influence of different parameters on the reaction yield.Cutinase displayed high initial esterification rates in iso-octane, which amounted to 1.15 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ for ethyl butyrate (C₄ acid chain) and 1.06 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ for ethyl valerate (C₅ acid chain). High product yields, 84% for ethyl butyrate and 96% for ethyl valerate, were observed after 6 h of reaction, for an initial equimolar concentration of substrates (0.1 M).The highest product yield (97%) was observed for ethyl caproate (C₆) synthesis, a compound which is a part of natural apple and pineapple flavour, for an alcohol:acid molar ratio of 2 (0.2 M ethanol concentration).Cutinase affinity for short chain length carboxylic acids (C₄–C₆) in ester synthesis in iso-octane confirmed previous observations in reversed micellar system.     

Stability of a Fusarium solani pisi recombinant cutinase in phosphatidylcholine reversed micelles

Summary A Fusarium solani pisi recombinant cutinase solubilized in phosphatidylcholine/isooctane reversed micelles was used to catalyse the esterification reaction of butyric acid with 2-butanol at pH 10.7. The influence of temperature, Wo and substrates on lipase stability was evaluated. The enzyme displays a better stability, with a half-life over 125 days, at a temperature of 22°C and for a low water content (W_O= 6.5). Butyric acid increased the cutinase deactivation (t_1/2=0.56h), while 2-butanol led to a similar half-life (t_1/2=14h) as without substrate.     

Influence of precursors and additives on microbial lipases stabilized by sol-gel entrapment

Sol-gel entrapment of microbial lipases from Candida cylindracea (Cc lipase),Pseudomonas fluorescens (Lipase AK), and Pseudomonas cepacia (Lipase PS), using as precursors tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and silanes of type R-Si(OEt)₃ with alkyl or aryl R groups, has been investigated. Three different methods using these precursors were tried exhibiting protein immobilization yields in the range of 20–50%. Hydrolysis of emulsified olive oil, esterification of lauric acid with 1-octanol and enantioselective acylation of 2-pentanol have been used as model reactions for testing the properties of the encapsulated lipases. The recovery yields of the enzyme activity in the esterification reaction were between 20–68%, the best performance being achieved with phenyltriethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane precursors at 3:1 molar ratio. When testing the entrapped Lipase AK in the enantioselective acylation reaction of 2-pentanol, activity recovery yields up to 32% related to the free enzyme were obtained and the immobilization increased the enantioselectivity of the enzyme.     

Lipase-catalysed synthesis of ester oils from biodiesel by-products

Ester oils obtained from natural long-chain fatty acids and alcohols are versatile substitutes for many petroleum-based products. Their efficient synthesis with the solvent-free esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) from by-products of biodiesel fabrication and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol with immobilised lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosa was investigated. The immobilisation of the biocatalyst in static emulsion yielded a specific esterification activity that was higher by a factor of 4.9–9.4 than the activity of the native enzyme. Favourable properties of the silicone-based immobilisation matrix in terms of stability and immobilisation yield were observed. In biodiesel by-products, the immobilised lipase catalysed the esterification of FFA as well as the transesterification of residual fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) to the desired ester oils. A conversion of 90% FFA and 35% FAME gave a total yield of 60%. The inactivation coefficients during repeated use in a stirred-tank reactor with intermittent pressure reduction were exceptionally low.     

Use of lipases in the resolution of racemic ibuprofen

Summary Resolution of (R,S)-ibuprofen enantiomers by esterification in different organic solvents was studied using Candida cylindracea lipase. This enzyme preparation had high enantiospecificity for S(+)-ibuprofen in the esterification reaction of a racemic ibuprofen with primary alcohols. The esterification yields of secondary alcohols were much lower than those of primary alcohols. Esterification with tertiary alcohols was not observed. The synthesis of esters was profoundly affected by the amount of water in the reaction mixture. C. cylindracea lipase was active only in very hydrophobic solvents. The esterification activity of the lipase was reduced significantly by addition of water. The R- and S-enantiomers of ibuprofen were determined without derivatization by HPLC using a chiral column.     

Synthesis of flavor and fragrance esters using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida antarctica</Emphasis> lipase

Candida antarctica lipase fraction B (CAL-B) showed substrate specificity in the synthesis of esters in hexane involving reactions of short-chain acids having linear (acetic and butyric acids) and branched chain (isovaleric acid) structures, an unsaturated (tiglic acid) fatty acid, and phenylacetic acid with n-butanol and geraniol. The variation in the conversion to the esters was ca. 10%. Similar results were observed in a study of the alcohol specificity of the enzyme for esterification of acetic and butyric acids with four alcohols: n-butyl, isopentyl, 2-phenylethyl, and geraniol. Enantioselectivity of CAL-B in hexane with a range of chiral -substituted or -substituted carboxylic acids and n-butyl alcohol was analyzed. The results show that CAL-B can be employed as a robust biocatalyst in esterification reactions due to the high conversions obtained in the synthesis of short-chain flavor esters in an organic solvent, although this enzyme exhibited modest enantioselectivity with chiral short-chain carboxylic acids.     

Gallic acid‐based alkyl esters synthesis in a water‐free system by celite‐bound lipase of Bacillus licheniformis SCD11501

Gallic acid (3, 4, 5‐ trihydroxybenzoic acid) is an important antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and radical scavenging agent. In the present study, a purified thermo‐tolerant extra‐cellular lipase of Bacillus licheniformis SCD11501 was successfully immobilized by adsorption on Celite 545 gel matrix followed by treatment with a cross‐linking agent, glutaraldehyde. The celite‐bound lipase treated with glutaraldehyde showed 94.8% binding/retention of enzyme activity (36 U/g; specific activity 16.8 U/g matrix; relative increase in enzyme activity 64.7%) while untreated matrix resulted in 88.1% binding/retention (28.0 U/g matrix; specific activity 8.5 U/g matrix) of lipase. The celite‐bound lipase was successfully used to synthesis methyl gallate (58.2%), ethyl gallate (66.9%), n‐propyl gallate (72.1%), and n‐butyl gallate (63.8%) at 55^oC in 10 h under shaking (150 g) in a water‐free system by sequentially optimizing various reaction parameters. The low conversion of more polar alcohols such as methanol and ethanol into their respective gallate esters might be due to the ability of these alcohols to severely remove water from the protein hydration shell, leading to enzyme inactivation. Molecular sieves added to the reaction mixture resulted in enhanced yield of the alkyl ester(s). The characterization of synthesised esters was done through fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and ¹H NMR spectrum analysis. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:715–723, 2015     

Effect of alcohol chain length on the optimum conditions for lipase-catalyzed synthesis of adipate esters

Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B, Novozym® 435, was used in the esterification of adipic acid and alcohols with different chain lengths (C₁–C₁₈). Optimum conditions for the synthesis of adipate esters were obtained using response surface methodology (RSM) with respect to important reaction parameters including time, temperature, substrate molar ratio and amount of enzyme. Alcohol chain length specificity of the enzyme in the synthesis of adipate esters was also determined. Minimum reaction time (215 min) for achieving maximum ester yield was obtained for butyl alcohol. Methanol required an increased time (358 min) and enzyme amount (10.2%, w/w) for attaining maximum yield. The maximum required temperature and time of 65°C and 523 min, respectively, were obtained for the synthesis of dioctadecyl adipate. The results demonstrate that alcohol chain length is a determining parameter in optimization of the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of adipate esters. Reactions under optimized conditions yielded a high percentage of esterification (>97%). The optimum conditions can be used to scale up the process.     

Synthesis of wax esters by a cell-free system from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Experimental evidence for a membranebound microsomal ester synthetase from Bonus barley primary leaves is reported. The results are consistent with at least two mechanisms for the synthesis of barley wax esters: an acyl-CoA-fattyalcohol-transacylase-type reaction and an apparent direct esterification of alcohols with fatty acids. Biosynthesis of wax esters was not specific with regard to the chain length of the tested alcohols. The microsomal preparation readily catalyzed the esterification of C₁₆-, C₁₈-, C₂₂- or C₂₄-labelled alcohols with fatty acids of endogenous origin. Exogenous long-chain alcohols were exclusively incorporated into the alkyl moieties of the esters. Addition of ATP, CoA and-or free fatty acids was not effective in stimulating or depressing the esterifying activity of the microsomal fraction. Partial solubilization of the ester synthetase was obtained using phosphate-buffered saline.Abbreviations P pellet - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - S supernatant - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate     

Biocatalyzed esterification of oleic acid using cell suspension and dried biomass of Aspergillus sp. RBD01

Esterification is an industrially important reaction in the field of food and fuel industries. In biofuel and allied industries, long-chain alkyl esters are generally produced from different fat rich feedstocks including non-edible oils, acid oils, and tallow, using a variety of catalysts. Amongst these, whole cell systems have prominently been explored in recent past. The present study focused on the use of Aspergillus sp. RBD01 as a whole cell catalyst, in dry and whole cell suspension, to esterify oleic acid with different alcohols as acyl acceptors. Esterification with dried biomass resulted in better conversion of oleic acid to its respective ester as compared to cell suspension. Further, increase in chain length of alcohol resulted in decrease in the yield from ethyl oleate (98% EO) to decyl oleate (77% DO) with alcohols having an even number of carbon atoms giving better yield of esters over alcohols with odd numbers.     

Enhancing the thermal stability of lipases through mutagenesis and immobilization on zeolites

The hydrolysis reaction of p-nitrophenyl butyrate catalyzed by lipases was followed with in situ UV/vis diode array spectrophotometry. Five enzymes - Candida antarctica lipase B and Fusarium solani pisi cutinase wild-type and three single-mutation variants - were tested as catalysts in homogeneous conditions and immobilized on zeolite NaY, on a polyacrylate support and as cross-linked aggregates. Using deconvolution techniques and kinetic modeling, the thermal stability of the different biocatalysts was compared in operational conditions and the results were supported by steady-state enzyme fluorescence measurements. We concluded that both the mutagenesis and the immobilization on zeolite NaY had a positive effect on the thermal stability of F. solani pisi cutinase.     

Lipase mediated simultaneous esterification and epoxidation of oleic acid for the production of alkylepoxystearates

Epoxy alkylstearates were synthesized by lipase catalysed esterification and perhydrolysis followed by epoxidation of oleic acid in a one-pot process. Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase (Novozym^®435) was used as the catalyst. The esterification reaction occurred relatively quickly and was followed by epoxidation of the alkyl ester and the remaining fatty acid. Higher degree of esterification was achieved with n-octanol, n-hexanol and n-butanol as compared to that with ethanol and iso-propanol. The rate and yield of epoxidation was enhanced with iso-propanol but was lowered with the other alcohols. The lipase suffered significant loss in activity during the reaction primarily due to hydrogen peroxide. The presence of alcohols, in particular ethanol, further contributed to the enzyme inactivation. The epoxidation reaction could be improved by step-wise addition of the lipase.