Simple adsorption of Candida rugosa lipase onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes for sustainable production of the flavor ester geranyl propionate

In this study, geranyl propionate was enzymatically synthesized from geraniol and propionic acid using Candida rugosa lipase immobilized on acid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The efficiency of the CRL-MWCNTs biocatalysts to catalyze the esterification production of geranyl propionate (solvent log P, alcohol:acid molar ratio and thermal stability) was compared with the free CRL for parameters. The use of CRL-MWCNTs in n-heptane (log P 4.0) and alcohol:acid molar ratio of 5:1 resulted in a 2-fold increased conversion frequency as compared to the free CRL for the production of geranyl propionate, in addition to a noteworthy 2-fold enhanced thermal stability.