Chemo- and regio-selective enzymatic lipophilisation of rutin, and physicochemical and antioxidant properties of rutin ester derivatives

lipase B immobilized on acrylic resin, combined with silicon dioxide as dehydrating agent, followed by product purification, achieved conversion ratios up to 50%. Full characterization and evaluation of the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the esterified compounds was obtained. The lipophilicity of the rutin esters produced increased with increasing alkyl chain length, yet antioxidant properties were unaffected in comparison with the parent compound. A preparatively useful acylation protocol was established, allowing full investigation into the properties of the acylated compounds. It is also applicable for use on mixtures of compounds as most natural products are found in nature in mixtures and such a development greatly enhances the potential of this method for future commercial applications.