Small water amounts increase the catalytic behaviour of polar organic solvents pre-treated Candida rugosa lipase

Following a simple and quick treatment based on dissolving the crude lipase of Candida rugosa in different percentages (v/v) of several polar organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, l-propanol, 2-propanol, l-butanol and 2-butanol), and a further dialysis, different preparations with enhanced a ctivity and thermal stability were obtained. This improved catalytic behavi our was observed in aqueous media (more efficient triglyceride hydrolysis) as well as in anhydrous organic solvents (better enantioselectivity and/or yield in the esterification of R- and S-ketoprofen). Combination of this treatment with organic solvents with a correct control of water activity in the reaction media allowed a much better catalytic beh aviour, dramatically increasing the reaction yield and the enantiodiscrimin ation ability in the esterification of S-ketoprofen vs. the R counterpart. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.