ENHANCEMENT OF (S)-NAPROXEN ESTER PRODUCTIVITY FROM RACEMIC NAPROXEN BY LIPASE IN ORGANIC-SOLVENTS

The kinetics of enantioselective esterification of racemic Naproxen wi th trimethylsilyl methanol by Candida cylindracea lipase (triacylglyce rol ester hydrolases, EC 3.1.1.3) were examined in various organic mix tures. The effects of solvent hydrophobicity on the activity, selectiv ity and stability of the enzyme and Naproxen solubility were investiga ted. Parabolic correlation for the dependence of the kinetic constants and Naproxen solubility on solvent hydrophobicity was found. A mixtur e of 60% isooctane and 40% toluene (v/v) was selected as the best reac tion medium in which improvement of (S)-Naproxen ester productivity wa s obtained.