Enzymatic synthesis of sorbitan methacrylate: Comparison of methacrylic acid and vinyl methacrylate

“Biomaterials” is a generic term which refers to a variety of medical material which is designed to be in direct contact with living tissue. Clearly, biomaterials must be carefully and microscopically fabricated for optimal acceptance within the living organism, in both functional and structural senses. In this study, the enzymatic synthesis of sorbitan methacrylate from 1,4-sorbitan via the manipulation of an immobilized biocatalyst (Novozym 435) and acryl donors (methacrylic acid and vinyl methacrylate) was evaluated. The conversion yield of sorbitan methacrylate was found to be 80.4% under the following experimental conditions: 1:3 molar ratio of 1,4-sorbitan and vinyl methacrylate, reaction temperature of 50 °C, initial sorbitan concentration of 50 g/L, and 3% (w/v) Novozym 435.