Combination strategy using pure enzymes and whole cells as biocatalysts for the preparation of 2-hydroxyesters and lactones from 2-oxoglutaric acid

Abstract

An innovative combination strategy that uses pure enzymes and whole microbial cells in the same process was used to prepare enantiomerically pure 3-carboxyalkyl-γ-butyrolactones and several alkyl esters of 2-hydroxyglutarate from 2-oxoglutaric acid. An innovative combination strategy that uses pure enzymes and whole microbial cells in the same process was used to prepare enantiomerically pure 3-carboxyalkyl-γ-butyrolactones and several alkyl esters of 2-hydroxyglutarates from 2-oxoglutaric acid. The method involves two consecutive biocatalytic steps. The first step, which converts the 2-oxoglutaric acid into the corresponding dialkyl esters, was catalyzed by a lipase. Then in the second step, by microbial reduction of the dialkyl-2-oxoglutarates, it is possible to obtain 3-carboxyalkyl-γ- butyrolactones or 2-hydroxyesters depending on the length of the chain in the alkyl moiety of the esters and on the fresh or lyophilized status of the cells.