Biotransformation with whole microbial systems in a continuous flow reactor: resolution of (RS)-flurbiprofen using Aspergillus oryzae by direct esterification with ethanol in organic solvent

• Lucia Tamborini^a
• Diego Romano^b
• Andrea Pinto^a
• Martina Contente^a
• Maria C. Iannuzzi^a
• Paola Conti^a
• Francesco Molinari^b

• ^a Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, Italy
• ^b Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l'Ambiente (DEFENS), Universitá degli Studi di Milano, Italy

Cell-bound lipases of dry mycelium of Aspergillus oryzae were used in organic solvent for the resolution of racemic flurbiprofen by direct esterification with ethanol in a flow-chemistry reactor. Under flow conditions a significant reduction of the reaction time and an increase of the enantioselectivity were achieved compared to the batch mode. Moreover, the process was implemented by adding an in-line purification step integrated with the racemization of the unreacted flurbiprofen directly into a polymer-supported resin.

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