The enantioselective hydrolysis of 2-chloroethyl ester of ketoprofen [2-(3-benzoylphenyl) propionic acid] was carried out by using either the crude or purified lipase from Candida rugosa (lipase OF) as biocatalyst. The effect of various surfactants on the reaction was investigated. The enzyme activity was found to increase significantly upon the addition of Tween-80, nonyl phenol polyethyleneoxy ether or Tween-60, while most of the other tested surfactants had inhibitory effects on the lipase. As for the enantioselectivity, only Tween-80 displayed a positive effect. The activity and the enantioselectivity of the enzyme were found to be sensitive to the concentration of Tween-80. The activity was enhanced up to 13 and 15 times respectively in the presence of Tween-80 (20mg/mL) or nonyl phenol polyethyleneoxy ether (30mg/mL). In the case of 80mg/mL of Tween-80, the enantiomeric ratios (E values) were increased from 1.2 to 6.7 and from 8 to >100 respectively for the crude and purified lipase OF.

Key words: SURFACTANTS, LIPASE, ACTIVITY, SELECTIVITY