Application of freeze-dried Yarrowia lipolytica biomass in the synthesis of lipophilic antioxidants.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of using Y. lipolytica biomass as a whole-cell catalyst in the synthesis of lipophilic antioxidants, with the example of esterification of five phenolic acids with 1-butanol.

Results: Freeze-dried Y. lipolytica biomass was successfully applied as a biocatalyst in the synthesis of esters of phenylpropanoic acid derivatives with 75-98% conversion. However, in the case of phenylacetic acid derivatives, results below 10% were obtained. The biological activity of phenolic acid esters was strongly associated with their chemical structures. Butyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate showed an IC value of 19 mg/ml (95 mM) and TEAC value of 0.427. Among the compounds tested, butyl esters of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acids exhibited the highest antifungal activity.

Conclusions: Lipophilization of phenolic acids achieved by enzymatic esterification creates prospects for using these compounds as food additives with antioxidant properties in lipid-rich food matrices.