Enzymatic synthesis of N‐ε‐acyllysines

Abstract

Chemical synthesis of N‐ε‐acyllysines on an industrial scale corresponds to new requirements in the surfactant field; only one chemical synthesis process is currently known for this type of molecule. A number of organic synthesis conducted in the laboratory so far have not made it possible to consider industrial development. However, biotechnologically, it has been shown that this molecule is easily accessible using a commercially available fixed lipase. Synthesis is carried out by causing a triglyceride to react with the lysine either with or without a solvent. The latter method gives the best results at the current stage of research. Given the availability of at least one fixed lipase on the market today, and the possibility of directly applying the reaction using oils, this reaction could be scaled up rapidly for industrial development.