Continuous Lipase B-Catalyzed Isoamyl Acetate Synthesis in a Two-Liquid Phase System Using Corning® AFR™ Module Coupled with a Membrane Separator Enabling Biocatalyst Recycle

The performance of the Corning AFR™ Low Flow (LF) fluidic module for Candida antarctica lipase B-catalyzed isoamyl acetate synthesis in an n-heptane–buffer two-liquid phase system was evaluated. Obtained flow regime of dispersed n-heptane droplets in a continuous buffer phase, which enables in situ extraction of the produced isoamyl acetate to the n-heptane phase, provides a very large interfacial area for the esterification catalyzed by an amphiphilic lipase B, which positions itself on the n-heptane–buffer interface. Productivities obtained were the highest reported so far for this reaction and indicate that Corning Advanced-Flow Reactor™ (AFR™) modules are also very efficient for carrying out biotransformations in two-phase systems. Additionally, for the separation of the n-heptane from the aqueous phase, a membrane separator consisting of a hydrophobic PTFE membrane was integrated, which enabled the reuse of biocatalyst in several consecutive biotransformations.