Synthesis of n-alkyl glucosides by amyloglucosidase

Abstract

Amyloglucosidase from Rhizopus mold (3.2.1.3) has been employed for the synthesis of n-alkyl glucosides from alcohols of carbon chain lengths C1 to C18 by both shake flask and reflux methods. Glucoside yields obtained from the reflux method (5-44%) are better than those from the shake flask method (3-28%). While the shake flask method favoured glucosylation of medium chain length alcohols, the reflux method at pH 5.0, favoured glucosylation of all the chain lengths. n-Octyl-D-glucoside, n-octyl-maltoside and n-octyl-sucroside are also synthesized and optimum conditions for the synthesis of n-octyl-D-glucoside at both shake flask and reflux methods have been worked out.