Functional characterization of a novel microbial esterase identified from the Indian Ocean and its use in the stereoselective preparation of(R)-methyl mandelate

Genomic mining has identifi ed a novel microbial alkaline esterase from the Indian Ocean. This esterase was overexpressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) and further functionally characterized. Under optimal conditions(10 mmol/L substrate, p H 6.0, 2 h at 40 °C), this esterase can hydrolyze racemic methyl mandelate to( R)-methyl mandelate with very high optical purity(e. e. >99%) and yield(nearly 90%). Interestingly, the stereoselectivity of this esterase is opposite to that of two previously reported lipases that can generate( S)-methyl mandelate through the hydrolysis of racemic methyl mandelate. No organic solvents or other additives were required to optimize the optical purity and production of the fi nal chiral product(R)-methyl mandelate, which can potentially simplify the production procedure of( R)-methyl mandelate catalyzed by esterase.