The invention provides a process for producing gamma-lactones useful for incorporation in flavourings and fragrances, wherein a micro-organism which is acceptable for making food grade products and which does not metabolize gamma-lactones, is cultured aerobically in a culture medium containing as the substrate a hydroxy fatty acid having an even number 4 of carbon atoms between the carboxyl group and the carbon atom carrying the hydroxy group. The preferred micro-organism is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Debaromyces hansenii or Candida boidinii species. The gamma-hydroxy-alkanoic acid reaction product of the process is lactonized either in the fermentation broth or after separation therefrom. Especially suitable are 12-hydroxy fatty acids such as ricinoleic acid.
The hydroxy fatty acid may be added either pure or as the mixture obtained by hydrolysis of an ester thereof. Enzymatic hydrolysis of such ester may be done in situ in the fermentation broth.
本发明提供了一种生产γ-内酯的工艺,这种γ-内酯可用于调味品和
香料中。在该工艺中,一种可用于制造食品级产品且不会代谢γ-内酯的微
生物在一种
培养基中进行有氧培养,该
培养基含有一种羟基
脂肪酸作为底物,该
脂肪酸在羧基和带有羟基的碳原子之间具有偶数个 4 碳原子。首选的微
生物是酿酒酵母菌、汉森德巴酵母菌或白色念珠菌。该工艺的γ-羟基-烷酸反应产物在发酵液中或从中分离出来后进行内酯化。特别适用的是 12-羟基
脂肪酸,如
蓖麻油酸。
羟基
脂肪酸可以是纯
脂肪酸,也可以是通过
水解其酯得到的混合物。这种酯的酶
水解可在发酵液中就地进行。