SYNTHESIS OF DETERGENT O-GLUCOSIDES BY REVERSE HYDROLYSIS IN ALCOHOL-WATER BIPHASIC SYSTEMS USING ALPHA-GLUCOSIDASE AND BETA-GLUCOSIDASE

The alpha- and beta-glucosidases showed significant O-glycosylation ac tivity with glucose as substrate and with different alcohols both as r eaction partners and solvents in reverse hydrolytic processes. With na tive glucosidases upscaling resulted in low yields due to heterogeneit y of reaction mixtures. Immobilization of the enzymes on a modified po lyacrylamide-type bead support (Acrylex C-100) increased enzyme stabil ity resulting in higher yields and permitted to perform glucosylations on a larger scale. From these experiments O-alkyl glucosides were iso lated in moderate yields.