The ability of Mucor sp. lipase immobilized on Amberlite IRC 50 to catalyze the synthesis of flavor esters was investigated in organic media (cyclohexan) at 35 degreesC. Propionic, butyric, caproic acids, as well as methanol, ethanol, allyl, butanol, isoamyl, geraniol, citronellol and farnesol alcohols were used as substrates in equimolar ratio. Most of the esters were synthesized in good yield (>90%). Different conversion yields were observed according to the affinity of the lipase toward the acids (short or long), or the alcohols (linear or branched and short or long). Rapid and higher conversions of 92 and 98% were observed for methyl caproate and ethyl caproate, respectively after 4 h reaction, and a yield of 95, 100, 93% were obtained for butyl butyrate, butyl caproate and allyl caproate, respectively after 24 h reaction in used conditions. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.