Fusarium solani pisi cutinase-catalyzed synthesis of polyamides

Abstract

Polyamides, or nylon, are widely used in fiber and engineering plastic materials, due to their good mechanical and thermal properties. Synthesis of oligomers from nylon-4,10, nylon-6,10, and nylon-8,10 were performed via polycondensation of diamines (1,4-butanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, and 1,8-diaminooctane) and diester (diethyl sebacate). These reactions were catalyzed by immobilized cutinase from Fusarium solani pisi on Lewatit beads, cutinase in the form of cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEA), or by immobilized Lipase B from Candida antarctica (N435). The highest maximal degree of polymerization (DPmax), up to 16, can be achieved in the synthesis of nylon-8,10 catalyzed by CLEA cutinase in diphenyl ether at 70°C. By performing a reaction at cutinase optimal temperature (70°C), CLEA cutinase in the synthesis of nylons shows good catalytic activity, like N435.