Enzymatic synthesis of hydrophilic and hydrophobic derivatives of natural phenolic acids in organic media

The enzymatic esterification of natural phenolic antioxidants such as cinnamic acid and benzoic acid derivatives, with aliphatic alcohols, monosaccharides as well as alkylglucosides, using various lipases and esterases in non-aqueous media, was investigated. Reaction rate and esterification yield seems to be linked to the structural characteristics of the substrates (aromatic acids and alcohols or sugars) used.