Response surface methodology for optimization of enzymatic acylation of (R)‐(‒)‐linalool application to essential oils

• Published in: Flavour and fragrance journal Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 183 - 192
• Main Authors: Naouel, Chaibrassou, Saoussen, Zeror, Mounia, Merabet‐Khelassi, Samira, Kilani‐Morakchi, Karima, Sifi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.05.2023
• Subjects: (R)‐linalool; (R)‐linalyl acetate; Acetic acid; Acetic anhydride; Acylation; Catalysts; Conversion; Design analysis; Design of experiments; eco‐friendly conditions; Essential oils; Esters; Experimental design; hydrolases; Lavandula angustifolia; Lavandula angustifolia EO; Lavender oil; Linalool; Linalyl acetate; Ocimum basilicum; Ocimum basilicum EO; Oils & fats; Optimization; Response surface methodology; Substrates
• ISSN: 0882-5734; 1099-1026
• DOI: 10.1002/ffj.3735

The essential oils of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Tropical Basil (Ocimum basilicum) are characteristically high in both linalool and linalyl acetate esters, key constituents determining essential oil (EO) quality and activity. The enrichment of these products in linalyl acetate has a great interest in the industry. Herein, we report the production of linalyl acetate using the free lipase PPL as a catalyst in a solvent‐free medium. Parametric studies referring response surface methodology (RSM) were applied to optimize the conversion. The optimal experimental condition for (R)‐linalool acylation (temperature at 60°C, catalyst amount at 150 mg, volume of acetic anhydride at 1 mL, and reaction time at 5 days) was obtained from an experimental design analysis. Under these conditions, the enzymatic acylation was carried out for both pure linalool, Lavandula angustifolia and O. basilicum essential oils as substrates. 24.94% conversion of pure linalool to linalyl acetate was obtained; however, essential oils gave lower conversions (conv = 13%). Response surface methodology aided optimization of enzymatic acylation of (R)‐(‐)‐linalool using the free lipase PPL as a catalyst in a solvent‐free medium. At the optimized experimental conditions, the enzymatic acylation was carried out for both pure linalool and essential oils as substrates.