Benzyl propionate synthesis by fed-batch esterification using commercial immobilized and lyophilized Cal B lipase.

In this work, a fed-batch approach was adopted to overcome propionic acid lipase inactivation effects in the benzyl propionate direct esterification mediated by lipases. The ester synthesis was performed using commercial immobilized (Novozym 435) and lyophilized form Candida antarctica fraction B lipase (Cal B) as biocatalysts of the esterification between benzyl alcohol and propionic acid in a solvent-free system. The reaction involved the propionic acid-controlled addition during the first 5 h ensuring an excess of alcohol to dilute the media.

Biocatalysis of aromatic benzyl-propionate ester by different immobilized lipases.

Benzyl propionate is an aromatic ester that possesses a fruity odor and is usually found in nature in the composition of some fruits such as plums and melons. This work aimed for the benzyl propionate synthesis by esterification using a new immobilized enzyme preparation with low-cost material from Candida antarctica (NS 88011) and three commercial immobilized lipases (Novozym 435, Lipozyme TL-IM and Lipozyme RM-IM). Novozym 435 had the best performance even when the solvent tert-butanol was absent of the reaction medium.