Hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl laurate in supercritical carbon dioxide: comparison of two different enzymes

The enzymatic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl laurate (PNPL) to p-nitrophenol ( PNP) was studied in supercritical carbon dioxide using crude Hog Pancreas L ipase (HPL) and P roqueforti Lipase (PR-L). The two enzymes were compared f or their optimal activity temperatures and reaction kinetics. HPL had a hig her optimal temperature (65 degreesC) and better yield (22.5%) compared wit h PRL whose optimal temperature was 50 degreesC with a 15.3% yield. This is considerably higher than the optimum temperature of 37 degreesC and yields of less than 1% observed in the aqueous medium. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.