Enantioselective transesterification of secondary alcohols mediated by aminoacylases from Aspergillus species

The aminoacylases (N-acyl-l-aminoacid amidohydrolase; E.C. 3.5.1.14) from Aspergillus melleus and Aspergillus oryzae catalyze the enantioselective transesterification of 1-phenylethanol with absolute stereospecificity. Increased catalytic efficiencies were obtained by using solubilized surfactant-coated aminoacylase complexes, which makes them more attractive for industrial application.