Calcium alginate entrapment of the yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides for the kinetic resolution of 1, 2-epoxyoctane

Abstract

Resting cells of the yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides (UOFS Y-0471) were immobilized in calcium alginate beads for the enantio selective kinetic resolution of racemic-1,2-epoxyoctane. The initial activity exhibited by immobilised cells was almost 50% lower than that of the free counterpart but was extremely stable when compared to the free cells. The concentration of the immobilized biomass had no effect on apparent enzyme activity but did lead to a decrease in single cell activity. An increase in both the alginate and CaCl2 concentrations used for bead preparation led to a decrease in enzyme stability. An increase in the alginate concentration led to an increase in bead diameter. The stoichiometric equation for cross-linking of alginate was only obeyed when CaCl2 concentrations higher than 0.4 M was utilized for bead preparation.