Production of butyl acetate ester by lipase from novel strain of Rhizopus oryzae

A new lipase preparation from Rhizopus oryzae was used to catalyze the esterification reaction between acetic acid and butanol to produce butyl acetate ester (pineapple flavor). This flavor compound can be used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Only 3% of butyl acetate was obtained when free lipase was used in the synthesis containing only the substrates. In contrast, the conversion yield reached 25% when immobilized lipase was used under the same conditions. The synthesis of butyl acetate catalyzed by immobilized lipase in nonconventional media was optimized. A maximum conversion yield of 60% in a solvent-free system was obtained under the following conditions: amount of immobilized lipase, 500 IU; amount of initially added water, 45%; acetic acid/butanol molar ratio, 1:1; and in incubation temperature, 37°C. Immobilized lipase could be repeatedly used for three cycles without a decrease in synthesis activity. The production of butyl acetate esters by immobilized R. oryzae lipase was also studied in the presence of organic solvents. Compared with a solvent-free system, the synthesis activity was improved in the presence of heptane and hexane with conversion yields of 80% and 76%, respectively. However, solvent-free systems tend to purify more easily the products without any toxicity and inflammability problems.