EQUILIBRIUM YIELD OF N-ALKYL-BETA-D-GLUCOSIDE THROUGH CONDENSATION OF GLUCOSE AND N-ALCOHOL BY BETA-GLUCOSIDASE IN A BIPHASIC SYSTEM

The beta-glucosidase-catalyzed synthesis of n-alkyl-beta-D-glucosides through the condensation of glucose and n-alcohols with alkyl chain lengths of 6 to 12 was carried out in a biphasic system, where the organic phase consisted only of an alcohol substrate. All the alcohols tested were condensed with glucose to give the corresponding n-alkyl-beta-D-glucosides. An equation was formula ted to predict the equilibrium yields of n-alkyl-beta-D-glucosides under various conditions, and its validity was experimentally verified. The equilibrium constant for the formation of n-alkyl-beta-D-glucosides was independent of the alkyl chain length and was 1.90 at 60 degrees C. The volume ratio of the organic to the aqueous phase was a factor significantly affecting the equilibrium yield. It was also shown that the synthesis at lower initial glucose concentrations effectively yielded alkylglucosides with less beta-glucobiose formation.