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Production of geranyl propionate by enzymatic esterification of geraniol and propionic acid in solvent‐free system
Author(s) -
Paroul Natália,
Grzegozeski Luana Paula,
Chiaradia Viviane,
Treichel Helen,
Cansian Rogério L.,
Oliveira J. Vladimir,
de Oliveira Débora
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.2475
Subject(s) - geraniol , propionate , chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , alcohol , molar ratio , solvent , propionates , chromatography , essential oil
Abstract Background: This work reports the optimization of geranyl propionate production by esterification of geraniol and propionic acid in a solvent‐free system using a commercial lipase as catalyst. For this purpose, a sequential strategy was performed applying two experimental designs. Results: The operating conditions that optimized geranyl propionate production were determined to be 40 °C, geraniol to propionic acid molar ratio of 3:1, 150 rpm and 10 wt% of enzyme, with a resulting reaction conversion of about 93%. After determining the optimum reaction parameters, a kinetic study was carried out evaluating the influence of substrates molar ratio, enzyme concentration and temperature on reaction conversion. Results obtained in this step allow one to conclude that an excess of alcohol (acid to alcohol molar ratio of 1:6), relatively low enzyme concentration (5 wt%), temperature of 40 °C and substrates molar ratio of 1:1 afforded nearly complete reaction conversion after 30 min of reaction. Conclusion: New experimental data on enzymatic esterification of geraniol and propionic acid for geranyl propionate production are reported in this work, showing a promising perspective of the technique to overcome the well‐known drawbacks of the chemical‐catalyzed route. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry