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

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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. ***