The unexpected kinetic effect of enzyme mixture: The case of enzymatic esterification

• Multienzymatic catalyst significantly enhances reaction yields.
• Very low load of biocatalyst, high concentration of products.
• Environmentally friendly conditions of esterification without inorganic impurities.
• Reaction proceeds enantioselectively for chiral, racemic substrates.

During the studies towards synthesis of carboxylic acids esters, using ethyl carbonate and carboxylic acid as substrates, we found that different single enzyme systems provide model ethyl 3-phenylpropanoate in very low yield. Systematic studies proved that combination of two or more enzymes enhances yield of reaction. Application of selected enzyme mixture for enzymatic esterification of various carboxylic acids provided respective esters in excellent yields. Unexpectedly, the same reaction performed with mixture of five enzymes proceeds in almost quantitative yield. For racemic substrates reaction catalyzed by enzyme mixture was found to be enantioselective. To the best of our knowledge it is the very first evidence of cooperation between multiple enzymes in organic solvents.

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