ENZYMATIC-SYNTHESIS OF MONOSACCHARIDE FATTY-ACID ESTERS AND THEIR COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL PRODUCTS

5-O-Acyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-D-xylofuranose and acyl-1,2:3,4-di-O-iso propylidene-D-galactopyranose were enzymatically prepared from the cor responding monosaccharide acetals and commercial (crude) fatty acid mi xtures. Subsequent acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the isopropylidene gro up(s) gave monosaccharide esters with overall yields of 69-88%, where the monoester content was at least 80% (galactose oleate) and typicall y 90% for the other preparations. In contrast to sugar fatty acid este rs prepared by conventional, high-temperature (trans)esterification, t he enzymatically obtained monosaccharide esters contained no appreciab le quantities of undesirable side products, and the only contaminants were monosaccharides and fatty acids.