Enzymatic Production of p-Methoxycinnamate Monoglyceride Under Solventless Conditions: Kinetic Analysis and Product Characterization
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: With the increase in biodiesel production experienced in the last decades, biomass-derived glycerol is obtained at a high rate, so glycerol availability in the market has scaled up while this polyol price has been reduced, with the exception of high-quality glycerol. In this context, novel and sustainable products based on glycerol are actively looked for. Octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC) is a common cosmetic ingredient and sunscreen with potential activity as an endocrine disruptor that is considered an emergent contaminant in aquatic environments. As possible substituents, glycerol-based methoxycinnamates such as monoglycerides can be obtained via lipase-driven esterification. In this work, we develop an enzymatic process under solventless conditions to obtain p-methoxycinnamate monoglyceride under mild conditions using Novozym 435—an immobilized industrial preparation of the lipase B of Candida antarctica—observing the effect of key process variables such as temperature and enzyme, water and acid concentrations. Furthermore, the obtained product was assessed for its activity as UVB-filter and for its stability under irradiation conditions, showing a similar SPF activity and a much higher stability toward photooxidation than OMC.
Source: Catalysts
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,654
Awards: G1175115578, G2262748287, G24120701, G2601397997, G2947653134, G294895050, G300979063, G3480869486, G3681454997, G4042783231, G425668148, G434337789, G4852093817, G5080475149, G5195188938, G6581379718, G6806339617, G7084143925, ERA-NET for research and innovation on materials and battery technologies, supporting the European Green Deal.
OpenAlex ID: W4410952693