LIPASE AND WATER

Abstract

The reaction rate of two lipase-catalyzed reactions, esterification and transesterification, were studied in a liquid/solid two-phase system in orderto investigate the effect of water partition between the enzyme preparation andthe liquid phase composedof only the reactants withoutthe conventional solvents. Lipase from Candida cylindracea was used for these studies. The enzyme wasinactive in dehydrated systems. In the case of monoester synthesis, the reaction increased with increasing water activity. The reaction rates of the lipase catalyzed reactions were very sensitive to the natere of the substrates in this unusual system. When transesterification and esterification were carried out in the same liquid phase, the transesterification reaction rate was controlled by the water produced by the concomitantesterification.