Lipase-Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Dextrin Esters.

Four lipase enzymes were investigated as catalysts in the synthesis of regioselectively mono-substituted dextrin esters from dextrin and vinyl acetate. An immobilized lipase enzyme (Lipozyme TL IM) exhibited the highest activity. This enzyme showed regioselective substitution of the dextrin at the primary hydroxyl group (C6 position) under optimal conditions (60°C for 24 hours, using a 1:3 molar ratio of glucose unit/vinyl acetate and 2.5 U/mL enzyme dosage in an organic solvent). To compare the reactivity of other vinyl esters, mono-substituted dextrin esters (degrees of substitution [DS] ≈ 1) with varying side-chain lengths (C2-12) were synthesized. With increasing side-chain length, the initial catalytic activity of the lipase enzyme decreased, resulting in lower DS values. However, the final DS values of the mono-substituted dextrin esters with longer side-chains were higher than those of the shorter chain analogues, because of an increase in affinity between the substrate and acyl donor.