Novel synthetic pathway for methyl 3-hydroxybutyrate from β-hydroxybutyric acid and methanol by enzymatic esterification

Abstract

M3HB (Methyl 3-hydroxybutyrate), known as an alternative energy source for cells with impaired metabolic function, has recently been reported to have therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease and inhibition of apoptosis. In this study, the enzymatic conversion of M3HB from methanol and beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) by lipase-catalyzed esterification was performed for the first time. The reaction conditions for maximum M3HB conversion were as follows: Novozym 435, 15 g/L; BHB:methanol molar ratio, 1:2; reaction temperature, 40 °C; and organic solvent, chloroform. The lipase-based M3HB synthesis achieved about 94.6% conversion through a step-by-step optimization, and is expected to contribute to future bioindustry applications. © 2023 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry