LECITHIN PROPANOL-BASED MICROEMULSIONS USED AS MEDIA FOR A CHOLESTEROL OXIDASE-CATALYZED REACTION/

Reverse micelles, Winsor III and IV systems were examined as reaction media for the enzymatic conversion of cholesterol to cholestenone by c holesterol oxidase at 298.2 K. The micelles and the microemulsions, st abilized by soybean lecithin and ethanol or 1-propanol as cosolvent, w ere characterized with respect to phase behavior and distribution of 1 -propanol between the phases of the Winsor III systems. The used oils were dodecane, tetradecane, and hexadecane. The Winsor IV systems and the surfactant-rich phase in the Winsor III systems exhibit bicontinuo us structures. The reaction yield for the enzymatic conversion perform ed in a Winsor IV system was much higher than in a Winsor III system o r in reverse micelles.