STUDIES ON THE SYNTHESIS OF SHORT-CHAIN GERANYL ESTERS CATALYZED BY FUSARIUM-OXYSPORUM ESTERASE IN ORGANIC-SOLVENTS

A novel esterase isolated from Fusarium oxysporum was investigated for the synthesis of short-chain esters of geraniol by alcoholysis and di rect esterification reactions in organic solvents. The enzyme was used as a dried powder (i.e., not immobilized). The reaction parameters af fecting the enzyme behavior such as the nature of organic solvent and acyl donor, the concentration of substrates and the water activity of the system were studied. High yields (80-90%) were obtained by both ap proaches (alcoholysis and direct esterification) at low values of wate r activity (a(w) = 0.11) in n-hexane. The enzyme retain its catalytic activity even after fifth reuse in n-hexane at a(w) = 0.11, demonstrat ing its stability and efficiency under the conditions of this study. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.