Enzymatic reactions in aqueous-organic media. IV. Chitin-alpha-chymotrypsin complex as a catalyst for amino acid esterification and peptide synthesis in organic solvents

Abstract

Chitin-α-chymotrypsin complex was found to be an effective catalyst for the esterification of N-acetyl-L-tryptophan in ethanol and for peptide synthesis from N-acetyl-L-tyrosine and glycinamide in acetonitrile. In the former reaction both initial rate of ester formation and equilibrium yield of the ester markedly increased by the complexation of chymotrypsin with chitin compared to free chymotrypsin.