Enzymatic synthesis of AHA derivatives for cosmetic application

• Published in: Journal of molecular catalysis. B, Enzymatic Enzymatic, 1998-09, Vol.5 (1), p.49-53
• Main Authors: Bousquet, Marie-Pierre, Willemot, René-Marc, Monsan, Pierre, Boures, Emmanuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioconversions. Hemisynthesis; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Cosmetics; Enzymatic synthesis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Lipase; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; α-Butylglucoside; α-Hydroxy acid
• ISSN: 1381-1177; 1873-3158
• DOI: 10.1016/S1381-1177(98)00051-4

An immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) was used to catalyze synthesis of α-butylglucoside lactate by transesterification between α-butylglucoside and butyllactate in a solvent free medium. The influence of the reaction pressure on yield was investigated. The elimination of butanol co-product under reduced pressure resulted in the shift of the reaction equilibrium position in favor of synthesis. More than 95% of 0.5 M α-butylglucoside was converted in only 30 h. Consequently, very high α-butylglucoside lactate concentration (170 g/l) was obtained in a single batch reaction. Moreover, one purification step was enough to obtain α-butylglucoside lactate with a purity above 95% (w/w). Properties of α-butylglucoside lactate have been evaluated. This derivative is far less harmful than free lactic acid: a 0.55 M aqueous preparation is far less irritant than a lactic acid solution of a similar concentration.