Enzymatic Synthesis of Esters from Fatty Acids U.S.-Morocco Collaborative Research

9415532 Gainer描述：该项目支持两位美国科学家的合作项目，John Gainer博士和Giorgio Carta博士，他们都来自弗吉尼亚大学夏洛茨维尔化工系，以及Ahmed Zaidi博士，Ecole Mohammadia d‘Ingenieur，Uneverite Mohammed V，位于摩洛哥拉巴特。初步研究结果表明，在有机介质中，利用酶可以合成由醇和脂肪酸合成的酯。计划中的工作旨在证实这些结果，并将该方法推广到其他酯的合成。这些酯具有良好的生物降解性和低毒特性，在食品、化妆品和制药工业中有重要的应用。在计划中的工作中，第一阶段将重点放在油酸与短链醇的反应上，使用脂肪酶。第二阶段将侧重于油酸与长链醇的反应，生成具有增塑剂和润滑剂用途的高分子酯。范围：该项目符合国际项目部的一些重要目标。它允许三位能力互补的活跃科学家合作从事重要的科学工作；它允许发展中国家的外国科学家获得必要的经验，以便在该项目之后继续进行这项有用的研究，并为在美国和工业化程度较低的国家的重要行业中可能出现的新的有用产品提供科学基础。***

9415532 Gainer Description: This project supports a cooperative project by two U.S. scientist, Drs. John Gainer and Giorgio Carta, both in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and Dr. Ahmed Zaidi, Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingenieurs, Universite Mohammed V, in Rabat, Morocco. Preliminary research results indicate that esters made from alcohols and fatty acids can be synthesized using enzymes in organic medium. The planned work aims at confirming these results, and extending the method to the synthesis of other esters. These esters have significant applications in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries because of their good biodegradability and low toxicity properties. In the planned work, the first phase will focus on the reactions of oleic acid with short-chain alcohols, using lipase enzymes. The second phase will emphasize the reactions of oleic acid with long-chain alcohols to produce high molecular weight esters which have uses as plasticizers and lubricants. Scope: This project meets a number of important objectives of the Division of International Programs. It allows cooperation of three active scientists whose capabilities complement each others to do important scientific work; it allows for a foreign scientist in a developing country to gain the experience necessary to continue this useful research beyond this project, and it provides the scientific basis for what may be new useful products in important industries in the U.S. and in less industrialized countries. ***