Microbial catalyzed esterification of primary and secondary alcohols in organic solvent

Microbial esterification of primary and secondary short chain alcohols with butyric acid in organic solvent has been studied. A screening for 2-octylbutyrate hydrolysis between microorganisms belonging to different genera allowed the selection of 12 microbial strains able to hydrolyze this substrate. The potential of these microorganisms in catalyzing ester formation was checked for various 1- and 2-alkylbutyrate derivatives: Rhizopus delemar, Rhizopus oryzae and Sarcina lutea promoted both 1- and 2-alkylbutyrate synthesis with almost complete molar conversion of the primary alcohols, while Aspergillus niger and Yarrowia lipolytica only catalyzed 1-alkanol esterification.