Valorization of Fatty Acid by Catalytic Sugar Derivatization: Lipase Versus Layered Double Hydroxide

Sugar fatty acid esters represent promising scaffolds for technological applications. These compounds are low-cost and allow rapid modulation of their properties. In this study, we have shown that lipase obtained from solid fermentation from Aspergillus niger (hydrolytic activity of 8.32 × 106 U/g) can promote a selective route towards the 2,5-dissubstituted D-mannitol laurate. Indeed, the lipase hydrolytic activity allowed the yield of 80% in DMF (P.A.) at 55 °C and 6 h. Finally, Mg/Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) were compared towards the selectivity of the expected dissubstituted product. The data obtained through the comparative analysis allows establishing some variables such as solvent (DMF), temperature (55 °C) and solvent dehydration degree for obtaining these molecules for future application studies in supramolecular gelation systems.