Alkyl Formate Ester Synthesis by a Fungal Baeyer–Villiger Monooxygenase |
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Authors: | Dr Felix Martin Ferroni Carmien Tolmie Prof Martha Sophia Smit Dr Diederik Johannes Opperman |
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Affiliation: | Department of Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa |
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Abstract: | We investigated Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO)‐mediated synthesis of alkyl formate esters, which are important flavor and fragrance products. A recombinant fungal BVMO from Aspergillus flavus was found to transform a selection of aliphatic aldehydes into alkyl formates with high regioselectivity. Near complete conversion of 10 mm octanal was achieved within 8 h with a regiomeric excess of ~80 %. Substrate concentration was found to affect specific activity and regioselectivity of the BVMO, as well as the rate of product autohydrolysis to the primary alcohol. More than 80 % conversion of 50 mm octanal was reached after 72 h (TTN nearly 20 000). Biotransformation on a 200 mL scale under unoptimized conditions gave a space‐time yield (STY) of 4.2 g L?1 d?1 (3.4 g L?1 d?1 extracted product). |
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Keywords: | aldehydes alkyl formate Baeyer– Villiger monooxygenase biocatalysis formate ester |
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