A new green chemistry process for the synthesis of esters

Kurzfassung

A French Technical Centre specialized in biocatalysis has developed new enzymatic processes to replace the chemical synthesis of esters by a biological synthesis, using reusable immobilized enzymes in order to perform the synthesis at room temperature, without purification step. As a result the method is cleaner, economical and time saving. The Technical Centre looks for industrial partners in the field of feed, food, cosmetics and health for a Technical Cooperation or a Manufacturing Agreement.

Details

The synthesis of ester bonds is often used in biochemistry for the production of active ingredients for food, cosmetic and health applications. A French Technical Centre has been working for several years in the biocatalysis of esters synthesis to help industrial companies to develop cleaner, safer and cheaper processes.

The ester bond is realized through the esterification of a carboxylic acid (a fatty acid for instance) and an alcohol or through the transesterification of an ester with either an acid, or an alcohol or even another ester. The chemical synthesis requires strong heating, neutralization and purification steps. The enzymatic synthesis may be conducted at room or low temperature and requires not purification steps since the enzyme is immobilized on an inert carrier (silica beads for instance).

The French Technical Centre is able to assist industrial companies in the substitution of their chemical ester synthesis by a biocatalytic synthesis. It has already conducted several developments in this field through partnerships with industrial companies in the fields of feed, food, cosmetics and health.

The French Technical Centre is looking for industrial partners in the fields of feed, food, cosmetics and health for a Technical Cooperation or a Manufacturing Agreement.

Innovative Aspects:
The enzymatic ester synthesis is a biotechnological process which is closed to the natural way to create an ester bond. The aim is to use a green chemistry process instead of a chemical synthesis of ester-based substances.
Moreover, enzymes possess the advantage of being selective. As a result, there is no need to protect and unprotect the molecular moiety before and after the synthesis. This property can also be used in purification processes (oil enrichment for instance).

This method presents several advantages:
- Room temperature or low temperature synthesis with no risk to degrade the products,
- No purification steps since the enzyme is immobilized. It may be used again for several batchs or used in a fixed-bed continuous process,
- A natural process to produce cosmetic ingredients or flavor is often required by customers (marketing aspects) or for regulatory questions (REACH, new regulation for aroma production …).