Resolution of (R,S)-(±)-glycidyl butyrate with immobilized Y-11 Trichosporon capitatum lipase in gelatin-containing microemulsion-based organogels

An extracellular lipase produced by the strain of Y-11 Trichosporon capitatum was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation and four chromatographic steps. The purified lipase showed enhanced activity when it was immobilized in gelatin-containing microemulsion-based organogels. Furthermore, the resolution of (R,S)-(±)-glycidyl butyrate by this immobilized lipase gave a product of (S)-(−)-glycidol with ∼98% ee (E = 96). By using chiral HPLC separation, (S)-(−)-glycidol was obtained in enantiopure form. Scaled-up reaction in 2 l shake flask was also performed and the repeated use of 15 times of immobilized Y-11 T. capitatum lipase resulted in little loss in its activity (4.8%).