Optimization of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of acetylated EGCG by response surface methodology

•Acetylated EGCG is prepared with vinyl acetate, and catalyzed by lipase.•The most suitable enzyme amount is 2.12% (w/w of substrate).•The most suitable EGCG/vinyl acetate mole ratio is 1.13.•EGCG conversion yield reached 87.37% in 10 h, at 40 °C.•Tri-acetylated EGCG is identified as 5′, 3″, 5″-3-O-acetyl-EGCG.

(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) acetylated derivatives, which can be widely used as a natural antioxidant in both lipid containing food and cosmetic applications, were prepared by lipase catalyzed acylation of EGCG with vinyl acetate. Response surface methodology (RSM) and 5-level-4-factor central composite rotatable design (CCRD) were employed to evaluate the effects of synthesis parameters, such as reaction time (6–10 h), temperature (30–50 °C), enzyme amount (1.5–2.5% (w/w) of substrate), and substrate molar ratio of EGCG to vinyl acetate (0.5–1.5) on conversion of EGCG. By using multiple regression analysis, the experimental data were fitted to a second order polynomial model. The most suitable combination of variables was 40 °C, 2.12%, 10 h and 1.13 for the reaction temperature, the enzyme amount, the reaction time, and EGCG/vinyl acetate mole ratio, respectively. At these optimal conditions, the conversion yield reached 87.37%. The presence of mono-, di- and tri-acetylated derivatives in acetylated EGCG was confirmed by LC–MS-MS and identified as 5″-O-acetyl-EGCG, 3″, 5″-2-O-acetyl-EGCG and 5′, 3″, 5″-3-O-acetyl-EGCG by NMR.

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