| abstract |
PURPOSE: To separate l-menthol advantageously, by action of esterase produced by microorganisms on a mixture of dicarboxylic monoesters of menthols to hydrolyze only the dicarboxylic monoester of l-menthol. n CONSTITUTION: A dicarboxylic monoester (M) of dl-menthol or a mixture of dicarboxylic monoesters of dl-menthol isomers containing (M), e.g. dl-menthol succinate, is subjected to the action of esterase produced by microoranisms at 20W45°C, preferably 25W35°C, and a pH of 3W8, preferably around 7, to hydrolyze only the dicarboxylic monoester of l-menthol. Thus, l-menthol can be separated and recovered readily with a high rate of reaction. Trichoderma viride which belongs to the genus Trichoderma may be cited as the esterase. n COPYRIGHT: (C)1980,JPO&Japio |