Synthesis of geranyl and citronellyl esters of coconut oil fatty acids through alcoholysis by Rhizomucor miehei lipase catalysis

Synthesis of geranyl and citronellyl esters of mixed fatty acids has been i nvestigated by alcoholysis of coconut oil (CNO) using Rhizomucor miehei lip ase. CNO fatty acid esters of geraniol and citronellol have unique mild fla vors that can be used in food materials. Both geraniolysis and citronelloly sis of CNO produce flavor esters in good yield. Depending on substrate conc entration the molar yield is more than 50%. The optimized reaction conditio ns were: pressure, atmospheric; temperature, 50 degrees C; incubation perio d, 5 h; and Lipozyme, 10% (w/w). Paper no. J9068 in JAOCS 76, 1501-1504 (De cember 1999).