Enhancement of the selective enzymatic biotransformation of rutin to isoquercitrin using an ionic liquid as a co-solvent

An ionic liquid (IL)-containing buffer system was first applied in the conversion of rutin to isoquercitrin. High substrate solubility was achieved to enhance the selectivity and efficiency of hesperidinase-catalyzed reaction. Ten ILs were selected as co-solvents to assist catalytic reactions in this biotransformation process. The transformed products of rutin were identified by LC–MS. The [Bmim][BF4]-glycine-sodium hydroxide buffer (pH 9) (10:90, v/v) was found to be the best medium for the biotransformation of isoquercitrin from rutin with higher selectivity and efficiency. The reaction time was reduced by 0.33-fold while the conversion of rutin and the yield of isoquercitrin were increased by 1.67-fold and 2.33-fold. The results suggest that IL co-solvents have great potential to enhance the selectively enzymatic hydrolysis of rutin for isoquercitrin production.