Synthesis of isoamyl acetate using protein-coated microcrystals of different lipases

The goal of this study was the immobilization of different lipases as protein-coated microcrystals on K₂SO₄ and their uses in the synthesis of isoamyl acetate in n-hexane medium. The optimum conditions, such as lipase variety, temperature, the initial molar ratio of vinyl acetate/isoamyl alcohol, immobilized lipase amount, and reaction time were determined. The highest conversion was obtained when protein-coated microcrystals of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TLL-PCMCs) was used for the synthesis of isoamyl acetate. The optimum temperature, the initial molar ratio of vinyl acetate/isoamyl alcohol, immobilized lipase amount, and reaction time were determined to be 50 °C, 3.0, 30 mg, and 360 min, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, isoamyl acetate yield was obtained as 95%. TLL-PCMCs retained 90% of their initial activity after five repeat use in the isoamyl acetate synthesis. TLL-PCMCs may be used in the preparation of industrially important aroma compounds due its ease of preparation and efficiency.