Esterification of 4-methyloctanoic acid with polyethylene glycol at different aw

• Published in: Biocatalysis and Biotransformation
• Main Authors: Heinsman, N.W.J.T., Teixeira, A., van der Weide, P.L.J., Franssen, M.C.R., van der Padt, A., de Groot, A., van 't Riet, K.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2001
• Subjects: 4-methyloctanoic acid; Esterification; Polyethylene glycol; Water activity; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/esterification-of-4-methyloctanoic-acid-with-polyethylene-glycol-; https://doi.org/10.3109/10242420109105263

Novozym 435? (immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B) was used to esterify 4-methyloctanoic acid with polyethylene glycols (PEGs) of different molecular weights (PEG-600, PEG-3000 and PEG-20000) at different water activities. A system composed of 4-methyloctanoic acid and PEG-600 was monophasic, except at a high water activity. Even at a water activity of 0.8, PEG was still converted to its mono- or diester, which proves the unique character of PEG. The PEG-esters accumulated in the apolar phase.