Synthesis of short chain alkyl esters using cutinase from Burkholderia cepacia NRRL B2320

Short chain alkyl esters are well appreciated for fruity flavors they provide. These are mainly applied to the fruit-flavored products like jam, jelly, beverages, wine and dairy. Cutinase from Burkholderia cepacia NRRL B 2320 was found to be active in catalyzing the synthesis of alkyl esters in organic solvent. The optimal temperature range for the enzyme catalyzed synthesis was found to be from 35 °C to 40 °C. The maximum conversion (%) during synthesis of ester was obtained for butyric acid (C4) and valeric acid (C5) with butanol reflecting the specificity of the enzyme for short-chain length fatty acids. In case of alcohol specificity, butanol was found to be most preferred substrate by the enzyme and conversion (%) decreased with increasing carbon chain length of alcohol used in the esterification reaction. The kinetic analysis for the synthesis of butyl butyrate by varying concentration of one substrate at a time (butanol or butyric acid), showed that Ping–Pong Bi Bi model with acid inhibition and influence of initial water is most suitable model for the prediction of the reaction kinetics.

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► Cutinase from P. cepacia efficiently catalyze synthesis of short-chain length fatty acid esters.
► 2% water content and temperature range 35–40°C was optimum for ester synthesis reaction catalyzed by cutinase.
► The maximum conversions (above 94%) obtained for ethyl and butyl butyrate.
► Ping–Pong model with acid inhibition and water influence was best fitted model for the reaction kinetics.