Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vol.126, No.3, 177-187, 2005
Microencapsulated mycelium-bound tannase from Aspergillus niger
Microencapsulated Aspergillus niger with mycelium-bound tannase activity was employed to investigate the esterification of propyl gallate from gallic acid and propanol in organic solvents. The effects of various organic solvents (log P: -1.0 to 6.6) on the enzymatic reactions showed that benzene (log P: 2.0) was the suitable solvent, for which the conversion reached 26.8%. The optimum catalyst concentration and water concentration was found at 25 capsules in 10 mL of benzene and 0.04 g of water/capsule. The external mass transfer effect could be eliminated at stirring speeds of 180 rpm or higher. Both substrates 1-propanol and gallic acid had significant inhibition effects on the tannase activity. Maximum molar conversion (36.2%) was achieved with 9.1% (v/v) 1-propanol and 8 mM gallic acid and decreased with increasing amounts of substrates.
Keywords:biosynthesis;immobilized cells;Aspergillus niger;tannase;organic solvents;optimization;propyl gallate;production kinetics