Production of terpene ester by lipase in non-conventional media

An immobilized commercially-prepared lipase was used to catalyze the esterification reaction of citronellol and butyric acid in n-heptane. A set of experiments was carried out to verify the influence of various parameters on the formation of citronellyl butyrate by this lipase. Esterification conversion yields above 95% were obtained under batch conditions at 60 degrees C. The equilibrium between the forward and reverse reactions was controlled by the level ofwater in the reactor vessel, which was built up when the synthesis was limited either by the butyric acid or citronellol contents. In the presence of nearly equimolar amounts of the reactants, the water formed as a by-product was found to be adsorbed by the solid enzyme phase. This allowed for the maintenance of restricted amounts of water in the reaction in the desired direction.