Abstract
Ester/acid equilibria were studied in reaction mixtures containing ethyl alcohol, ethyl caprylate or caprylic acid, and baker's yeast or an esterase purified from baker's yeast in buffer. The equilibrium concentration of ethyl caprylate after an incubation of yeast or a yeast esterase preparation with caprylic acid was the same as in the case where yeast or esterase preparation was incubated with the ethyl caprylate. The equilibrium attained depends not only on the concentration of the ester and the alcohol but also on the pH, the final ester concentration remaining higher at low pH. It could be shown that yeast esterase is responsible for the hydrolysis or synthesis of the ester. At equilibrium the molar ratio of ethyl caprylate/caprylic acid is about the same as that found in fermentation solutions under the same conditions.
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