Enzymatic synthesis and surface properties of novel rhamnolipids

New rhamnolipids were obtained via the development of a synthesis procedure consisting of two biocatalyzed steps. In the first step, naringinase was used to introduce a primary alcohol function onto rhamnose by glycosylation of 1,3-propanediol. In the second step, immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica catalyzed the esterification of the primary hydroxyl group with mono- and di-carboxylic fatty acids of increasing chain length (from C8 to C14). For the monoic acids, the initial rate and 24 h yield decreased with increasing chain length. For the dioic acid, the number of carbon atoms of the acid did not influence these parameters. The new rhamnolipid obtained with tetradecanoic acid showed very good surface properties. At pH 5, it had a very low critical aggregation concentration of 1.70 μM and it diminished water's surface tension to 27.6 mN/m. It was also able to form stable insoluble monolayers. On the other hand, the rhamnolipid formed with tetradecanedioic acid showed far less interesting surface properties.

► Novel rhamnolipids were synthesized via a two-step enzymatic process.
► Naringinase was used to introduce a primary alcohol onto rhamnose.
► The rhamnose derivative esterification was catalyzed with Novozym 435.
► The esterification's initial rate and yield with mono or di-oic acids was studied.
► The derivative obtained with myristic acid exhibits interesting surface properties.