Abstract:
Subject description: The essential oils of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Tropical Basil
(Ocimum basilicum) are characteristically high in both linalool and linalyl acetate esters, key
constituents determining essential oil (EO) quality and activity. The enrichment of these products in
linalyl acetate has a great interest in the industry. In this study, we report the enzymatic modification
of two EOs by direct bio-acylation.
Objectives: The main objective of this work is to investigate the enzymatic production of linalyl
acetate using linalool and its application to essential oils, specifically Lavandula angustifolia and
Ocimum basilicum to modify the chemical composition of these essential oils by enriching them with
linalyl acetate.
Methods: production of linalyl acetate was conducted using the free lipase PPL as the catalyst
within a solvent-free environment. At the optimized experimental conditions determined through the
execution of experimental design, the bio-acylation was carried out for both linalool and essential oils
as substrates.
Results and discussion: The enzymatic production of linalyl acetate in solvent-free medium was
maximized using linalool as substrate by means the experimental design technique. Under these
conditions, the enzymatic acylation was carried out for both pure linalool, Lavandula angustifolia and
O. basilicum essential oils as substrates. 24.94% conversion of pure linalool to linalyl acetate was
obtained, however essential oils gave lower conversions (conv=13%).
Conclusion: The exploration of enzymatic pathways and the optimization of the acylation
process underline the promising possibilities for essential oil enrichment in industrial and scientific
contexts
