Isolation of myo-Inositol from Solutions by Enzymatic Biotransformation

The transferase reaction between phospholipids and inositol catalyzed by phospholipase D was studied at interfaces in water–organic solvent systems. Optimum conditions were determined for phosphatidylinositol synthesis in heterogeneous water–organic solvent systems. Hydrophobic components (phospholipids) were readily separated from water-soluble products (alcohols) in systems with organic solvents. In the hexane–water system, addition of methanol (an alcohol substrate) to the reaction medium displaced myo-inositol from the molecule of phosphatidylinositol. myo-Inositol was isolated from the mixture of its isomers using a two-step transferase reaction catalyzed by phospholipase D.