Enzymatic preparation of a carbohydrate ester of medium-chain fatty acid in supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract

Acylation of methyl-β-D-fructofuranoside and caprylic acid with an immobilized lipase, Novozym 435, was carried out in supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) with tert-butanol as a co-solvent. Initial rate of acylation was 12-fold higher in SCCO2 than in tert-butanol. The equilibrium conversion was increased up to 70% with an increase in the molar ratio up to a maximum of 1:20 (methyl-β-D-fructofuranoside:caprylic acid) at 16 MPa and 70 °C.