The most favorable condition for lipid hydrolysis by Rhizopus delemar lipase in combination with a sugar–ester and alcohol W/O microemulsion system

The hydrophobic interfacial characterization of sugar–ester alcohol W/O microemulsion was investigated in order to develop a suitable design for reaction media. A W/O microemulsion system was prepared as a combination of sugar–ester, DK-ester-F-110 with alcohol as a cosolvent. The diameter of the sub-micron-sized water pool, the hydrophobicity of the water pool, and the fluidity of the micro-interface were studied to analyze the reactivity of Rhizopus delemar lipase in lipid hydrolysis. The diameter of the sub-micron sized water pool was measured by dynamic laser light scattering. It was proportional to the 0.33 power of Wsoln and decayed with increasing alcohol concentration. The initial reaction rate of the hydrolysis of triolein in W/O microemulsion depended on the solubilized water content. The hydrophilic character of the micro-water pool was estimated from the fluorescence wavelength indicated by Coumarin 343. The maximum initial reaction rate appeared at 450–460 nm. The fluidity of the micro-interface was investigated by fluorescence anisotropy using TMA-DPH. A suitable physicochemical reaction condition for high reactivity to occur was found, satisfying both the hydrophilicity and the fluidity of the micro-interface.