n-octyl beta-D-glucoside synthesis through beta-glucosidase catalyzed condensation of glucose and n-octanol in a heterogeneous system with high glucose concentration

beta-Glucosidase-catalyzed synthesis of n-octyl beta-D-glucoside through condensation was performed by mixing glucose and octanol saturated with acetate buffer at 50 degrees C. The highest yield of synthesis, 28% based on glucose, was obtained at the total glucose concentration of 0.1 mol/l. At higher glucose concentrations, the product concentration increased but the yield decreased. The stability of the enzyme in the system was so high that, even in the free form, it could be used repeatedly for synthesis without a significant loss in its activity. The overall yield of the four consecutive batch syntheses was 58% when the initial glucose concentration was adjusted to 0.1 mol/l for each batch.