Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Deep eutectic solvents for enzymatic esterification of racemic menthol

Abstract

Enzymatic esterification is an effective route that can contribute for the separation of racemic (rac) mixtures and is thus of great importance for the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. All the processes involved in this methodology should be environmentally friendly, biocompatible, fast, and cost-effective. The use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) can comply with all these metrics. In this work, we report on the use of DESs in the enzymatic esterification of menthol, one of the largest traded flavors and aromas worldwide. Solid rac-menthol was mixed with solid lauric acid at different molar ratios, yielding a DES liquid at room temperature or slightly above. Rac-menthol and lauric acid were the DES components and also the esterification reaction substrates. The DES reacted promptly when Candida rugosa lipase was added, and the conversions of rac-menthol reached up to 44% after 3 h of reaction and an enantiomeric excess of the product of 62%. Enzyme activity was dependent on the molar ratio of the substrates as well as on the water activity in the DES. The use of DES combined with enzymes paves the way for efficient and more sustainable biocatalytic processes.

Journal
ACS Sustainable Chemistry Engineering
Volume
7
Issue
24
Pagination
19943–19950
Publisher
ACS
ISSN
2168-0485
ISBN
2168-0485
URL
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05434
Keywords
biocatalysis, CRL, Deep Eutectic Solvents, menthol-based eutectic solvents, racemic mixtures
Rights
Restricted Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
Project
Dez.Zyme
Year of Publication
2019
DOI
10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05434
Date Published
2019-11-14
Search Google ScholarGenerate BibTexDownload RTF
This website uses cookies. By using this website you consent to our use of these cookies. For more information visit our Policy Page.