Enzymatic synthesis and parameters affecting on citronellyl acetate ester by trans-esterification reaction

Citronellyl acetate is a crucial component of flavor and fragrance in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors. In non-aqueous media, it can be successfully produced via lipase catalysis. This study focuses on the lipase-catalyzed trans-esterification of citronellol alcohol with geranyl acetate ester in a non-aqueous medium to produce citronellyl acetate. For the synthesis of citronellyl acetate, crude acetone powders isolated from several plant seedlings of black cumin, fenugreek, coriander, flax, and rape seed were examined for lipase activity. Black cumin seedling lipase had the highest level of citronella acetate production with a yield of 76.32% in 72 h of reaction time. To assess the impact of different reaction parameters on citronellyl acetate production in organic solvents, hexane was chosen as the best solvent, and black cumin seedling lipase was selected as the best biocatalyst. The highest conversion yield of ester (76.32%) was found when 0.25 M of geraniol acetate and 0.25 M of citronellol reacted at 41 oC after 72 h in the presence of 0.25 g of seedling lipase enzyme in n-hexane. It has been determined that crude black cumin seedling lipase is inexpensive yet effective and has the potential to be used industrially for the synthesis of terpene esters.