Biotechnology Letters, Vol.21, No.6, 547-550, 1999
Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of capsaicin analogs by transacylation of capsaicin with natural oils or fatty acid derivatives in n-hexane
Transacylation of capsaicin with triolein using a commercial lipase gave olvanil in an 85% yield at 70 degrees C for 144 h. When olive oil was employed, the major product was olvanil (62%). Safflower oil gave a mixture of olvanil (39%) and linoleoyl vanillylamide (32%). Perilla oil gave linolenoyl vanillylamide (13%). Myristic acid and its methyl ester could be used as an acyl donor, and myristoyl vanillylamide was obtained in 20-78% using several lipases.