Lipase Mediated Production of Flavor and Fragrance Esters from Fusel Oil

Mixtures of C 3 , C 4 and C 5 chain length aliphatic alcohols found in fusel oil were converted to their acetic acid and butyric acid esters using a lipase (from Candida cylindracea) mediated process in a water immiscible fluid (hexane). Incubation temperature was 30°C with shaking (150 rpm). Maximum production of the mixed butyric acid ester product (0.62 mol/L; yield = 65.8%) and acetic acid ester product (0.052 mol/L; yield = 46.4%) were obtained in 48 hr. Enzyme could be reused three times before loss of activity for acetic acid ester synthesis but enzyme activity decreased after one use for butyric acid ester synthesis.