Improving the Enantioselectivity of the Candida Cylindracea Lipase Via Chemical Modification

Abstract

The lipase of Candida cylindracea (B-form) was treated with the classical chemoselective reagents with a view to modifying the specific amino acid residue(s) in the protein. Nitration of the tyrosyl residues of this enzyme was achieved using an excess of tetranitromethane (TNM). This chemically modified TNM-lipase showed a remarkable improvement in enantioselectivity towards the hydrolysis of a series of aryloxypropionic and arylpropionic esters.

Key Words:

• Enantio selectivity
• lipase
• Candida cylindracea
• chemical modification
• tetranitromethane
• tyrosyl residues
• enantioselective hydrolysis