Biocatalytic hydrolysis of various esters using Baker’s yeast under neutral conditions without sucrose

Abstract

We have found that biocatalytic hydrolysis of various esters using Baker’s yeast proceeds efficiently under neutral conditions without sucrose. Hydrolysis of ethyl, methyl, propyl, isopropyl, benzyl, allyl, prenyl, and vinyl esters of 3-phenylpropanoic acid using Baker’s yeast gave easily 3-phenylpropanoic acid in 52–86% yields. In contrast, Baker’s yeast did not hydrolyze the rigid structural esters such as cinnamyl and phenyl 3-phenylpropanoates. Then, Baker’s yeast hydrolyzed various ethyl esters of 3-arylpropanoic acids, 4-phenylbutanoic acid, and fatty acids to afford the corresponding acids in 29–85% yields.