Abstract
We examined the enzymatic synthesis of astaxanthin n-octanoic acid esters. Carriers for the immobilized enzyme and reaction conditions such as water content, reaction temperature, and time were examined using Candida cylindracea lipase (Lipase OF®). Lipase OF® immobilized by a hydrophobic anion exchange resin (10% w/w content of lipase) gave the best yield in the esterification reaction of astaxanthin. Two milligrams of astaxanthin per 750 μL tri-n-octanoin (ca. 0.3%) was optimum because of the low solubility of tri-n-octanoin. The esters were obtained in a yield of 36.4% under the optimal reaction conditions.
