Candida rugosa lipase: Enantioselectivity enhancements in organic solvents

Abstract Chiral resolutions of carboxylic acids ( 1–3 ) and alcohol ( 4 ) were carried out through esterification or transesterification in organic solvents using cross-linked enzyme crystals (CLEC®) of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL). Comparison of these results with those of crude CRL reveal significant differences. As was seen in resolution through hydrolysis, 1 a marked improvement in enantioselectivity is realized with the CLEC. Additionally, the stability afforded the enzyme in CLEC form leads to a higher activity in organic solvent.