Lipase-mediated synthesis of dodecyl oleate and oleyl oleate in aqueous foams

Engineering media for optimal product yield in enzyme-catalyzed reactions i s an important strategy. We report here synthesis of dodecyl oleate and ole yl oleate by lipase (Candida rugosa) in solvent-free substrate foams. Ester formation was characterized with respect to enzyme concentration, pH, temp erature, and substrate concentration. The kinetics of ester formation sugge st that the formation of ester was 80% complete in 2 h. The pH and temperat ure optima of lipase suggest that the behavior of lipase in substrate foams was similar to its behavior in water or in organic solvents. The denaturin g effect of foams on enzyme was evaluated. Rapid loss in activity (>70% in 1 h) was observed in the presence of oleic acid and dodecanol. The large su rface areas generated in aqueous foams offer better accessibility of substr ate to lipase for esterification.