Production of highly enantio selective (-)-menthyl butyrate using Candida rugosa lipase immobilized on epoxy-activated supports

Optically active (-)-menthyl butyrate was synthesized by enantioselective esterification of racemic (+/-)-menthol and butyric anhydride using lipase from Candida rugosa immobilized onto epoxy-activated supports of Eupergit C and Eupergit C 250 L through physical adsorption method. The effects of various temperature, storage condition, stability in organic solvent and lipase recyclability were investigated for their influence on the enzymatic enantio selective formation of (-)-menthyl butyrate. The immobilized lipases retained high catalytic activity of up to 31% yield and 100% enantiomeric excess of the desired product, and showed better stability compared to the native lipase. They also exhibited about 50% retained activity even after incubation at higher temperatures, storage at room temperature and after long incubation in hexane. Immobilized lipases also showed considerably efficient reusability. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.