Short-chain aliphatic ester synthesis using Thermobifida fusca cutinase

• Short-chain aliphatic esters were synthesized using Thermobifida fusca cutinase.
• The highest ester yield ever reported, 99.2%, was achieved.
• This process displayed strong tolerance for water content and acid concentration.
• T. fusca cutinase exhibited wide selectivity for a series of acids and alcohols.

Short-chain aliphatic esters are commonly used as fruit flavorings in the food industry. In this study, Thermobifida fusca (T. fusca) cutinase was used for the synthesis of aliphatic esters, and the maximum yield of ethyl caproate reached 99.2% at a cutinase concentration of 50 U/ml, 40 °C, and water content of 0.5%, representing the highest ester yield to date. The cutinase-catalyzed esterification displayed strong tolerance for water content (up to 8%) and acid concentration (up to 0.8 M). At substrate concentrations ⩽0.8 M, the ester yield remained above 80%. Moreover, ester yields of more than 98% and 95% were achieved for acids of C3–C8 and alcohols of C1–C6, respectively, indicating extensive chain length selectivity of the cutinase. These results demonstrate the superior ability of T. fusca cutinase to catalyze the synthesis of short-chain esters. This study provides the basis for industrial production of short-chain esters using T. fusca cutinase.