Alpha-terpineol esters: occurrence of the reaction by enzymatic route – Experimental analysis and molecular docking

This thesis chapter explores the enzymatic synthesis of ester derivatives of α-terpineol, a tertiary alcohol of high relevance in aroma chemistry. The study involved experimental screening with lipase variants and computational modeling to evaluate the reaction feasibility. Results revealed that under the tested conditions, enzymatic esterification of α-terpineol was unsuccessful, emphasizing the structural limitations imposed by its molecular conformation. Complementary chemical assays confirmed that esterification is viable via acid catalysis, reinforcing the hypothesis that steric hindrance prevents efficient biocatalysis in this case. These findings contribute to a better mechanistic understanding of enzyme-substrate interactions involving tertiary alcohols and inform future strategies for the biosynthesis of aroma-related esters.