Optimization of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of fructose stearate using response surface methodology.

In this study, immobilized lipase-catalyzed esterification reaction between fructose and stearic acid was examined for the synthesis of a useful compound, fructose stearate, using response surface methodology. The increase of water content in the reaction medium was the negative effect while the increase in initial stearic acid/fructose molar ratio was the greatest positive effect on the yield. The highest fructose stearate yield was obtained as 65% in tert-butanol. The product yield was enhanced in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate obtained as 74% under the optimized conditions. The spectroscopic and elemental analysis methods showed that the esterification reaction is regioselective and the product is fructose monostearate.