The use of lipases as biocatalysts for the epoxidation of fatty acids and phenolic compounds

Lipases are versatile enzymes that can be used for various kinds of biocatalyzed reactions. Owing to their selectivity and their mild reaction conditions, they can be often considered as more interesting than classical chemical catalysts. Besides their application in oil and fat processes, these enzymes have proved to be very attractive for other lipase-catalyzed reactions. This review discusses the latest results where lipases are used for the epoxidation of lipid substrates (namely fatty acids and their derivatives) and phenolic compounds. This chemo-enzymatic process involves a two step synthesis where the biocatalyst acts as a perhydrolase to produce peracids, which then act as catalysts to epoxidize double bonds. Various factors govern the efficiency of the reaction in terms of kinetics, yields and enzyme stability. These parameters are evaluated and discussed herein.