Improved enzymatic production of phenolated acylglycerols through alkyl phenolate intermediates.

A novel approach is reported for the synthesis of dihydrocaffoylated glycerols that consists of two steps: enzymatic synthesis of octyl dihydrocaffeate (as a synthetic intermediate) from octanol and dihydrocaffeic acid, and enzymatic interesterification of triacylglycerols with octyl dihydrocaffeate. Due to the good compatibility of the intermediate with triacylglycerols, an improved volumetric productivity [147 mol h(-1)(kg Novozym 435)(-1)] and high enzyme specific activity [up to 9.6 μmol(-1) min(-1)(g Novozym 435)(-1)] have been obtained.