Lipase-Catalysed Synthesis of Fatty Acid Modified Chitobiose in a Low-Water Organic Solvent: Effect of Water Distribution in a Multiphase Reaction System

Lipase-catalysed condensation of chitobiose and myristic acid in low-water acetone media was investigated. A product identified as monomyristoyl chitobiose was obtained using immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435). The product yield was significantly affected by reaction conditions, such as the initial water concentration in acetone, the initial water content of immobilized lipases, and the amount of added molecular sieves. The product yield varied in the range 0–10%. The effects of the reaction conditions are discussed in relation to the quantitative distribution of water in the reaction system, that is, water adsorbed onto immobilized enzymes, water adsorbed onto molecular sieves, and free water dissolved in the organic solvent.