SYNTHESIS OF ALKYL GLYCOSIDE FATTY-ACID ESTERS IN NONAQUEOUS MEDIA BY CANDIDA SP LIPASE

Alkyl glycoside fatty acid esters were successfully synthesized by lipase-catalyzed transesterification of methyl glucoside, methyl glucoside, methyl galactoside and octyl glucoside with methyl oleate. The experiments were carried out in organic media with lipase enzymes from Candida sp. as biocatalysts. Time course and the effects of temperature, solvent type, substrate concentration, added water and of immobilized vs. nonimmobilized enzyme were studied. The optimal conditions for the enzymatic synthesis of alkyl glycoside fatty acid esters were: a molar ratio of alkyl glycoside and methyl oleate of 1:4, an immobilized lipase, SP382 from Candida sp.; benzene/pyridine (2:1, vol/vol) with no added water; temperature, 55-degrees-C; reaction time, 48 h; and shaking at 200 rpm. Acceptable levels of oleic acid incorporation (58.6-100 mol%) onto the alkyl glycosides were achieved.