Enzymatic Synthesis of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Glycerol Esters Using Type A Feruloyl Esterase from Aspergillus niger

We found that hydroxycinnamic acid (HA) glycerol esters such as 1-sinapoyl glycerol and 1-p-coumaroyl glycerol can be synthesized through a direct esterification reaction using a type A feruloyl esterase from Aspergillus niger. The water solubilities of HA glycerol esters were higher than those of the original chemicals. HA glycerol esters absorbed ultraviolet light and scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals.