SYNTHESIS OF L-TYROSINE GLYCERYL ESTER CATALYZED BY ALPHA-CHYMOTRYPSIN IN WATER-MISCIBLE ORGANIC-SOLVENTS - A POSSIBLE SUN-TAN ACCELERATOR PRODUCT

The synthesis of L-tyrosine glyceryl ester, from glycerol and L-tyrosine methyl ester, was carried out by a transesterification reaction catalyzed by alpha-chymotrypsin. Values of 60 % (v/v) for glycerol and 200 mM for L-tyrosine methyl ester were optimal for the transesterification reaction. Additionally to glycerol, several other water miscible cosolvents (acetonitrile, N,N'-dimetyl formamide and tetrahydrofurane) were tested in the reaction media, but their presence did not give an enhancement on the transesterification activity with respect to the glycerol/water medium. However, increasing the hydrophobicity of the cosolvent resulted in a reduction of the enzyme activity, the water:glycerol mixture being the best reaction media.