Ultrasound-assisted esterification of valeric acid to alkyl valerates promoted by biosilicified lipases

• Published in: Frontiers in Chemistry
• Main Authors: Cebrián-García S., Balu A.M., Luque R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S. A
• Subjects: Biocatalysis; Biosilicification; Esterification; Lipases; Ultrasounds; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://repository.rudn.ru/records/article/record/7022/

A novel, environmentally friendly, and sustainable ultrasound-assisted methodology in the valorization of valeric acid to alkyl valerate using a biosilicified lipase from Candida antarctica is reported. This one-pot room temperature methodology of enzyme biosilicification leads to biosilicified lipases with improved activity and reaction efficiency as compared to free enzymes. Yields in the ultrasound-promoted esterification of valeric acid was ca. 90% in 2 h with 15% m/v of biosilicified lipase (Bio-lipase; 616 U/g biocatalyst enzymatic activity) and a molar ratio 1:2 (valeric acid:ethanol), slightly superior to that observed by the free enzyme (75% conversion, 583U/g biocatalyst enzymatic activity). The reuse of enzymes in these conditions was tested and the results show a relatively good reusability of these biosilicified enzymes under the investigated conditions, particularly preserving fairly stable specific activities (616 vs. 430 U/g biocatalyst after four reuses). © 2018 Cebrián-García, Balu and Luque.