“Green” Synthesis of Sucrose Octaacetate and Characterization of Its Physicochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity

N. Petkova, D. Vassilev, R. Grudeva, Y. Tumbarski, I. Vasileva, M. Koleva and P. Denev

Abstract
Sucrose octaacetate (octa-O-acetylsucrose) has been synthesized by esterification of sucrose with acetic anhydride using ultrasound-assisted irradiation. This sucrose ester is a white, water-insoluble substance with a bitter taste. The FT-IR and NMR spectra confirmed acetylation and revealed the hydrophobic incorporation in sucrose molecule. Furthermore, the foamability, foam stability, emulsification and antimicrobial properties of octa-O-acetylsucrose were evaluated. Foams and 50 % (oil/water) model emulsions were prepared with 2 % (w/w) octa-O-acetylsucrose. The obtained results demonstrate the formation of emulsions and foams with high stability (50–70 %). The antimicrobial activity of octa-O-acetylsucrose was evaluated against seventeen microorganisms (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and fungi). Octa-O-acetylsucrose inhibited the growth of fungi Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp. and Fusarium moniliforme at 5 mg cm–3, and yeasts Candida albicans at 1 mg cm–3. Inhibition against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was not observed. The obtained results demonstrate the potential applications of octa-O-acetylsucrose as a foaming agent, oil-in-water emulsion stabilizer, and antifungal substance in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. (This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Keywords
octa-O-acetylsucrose, ultrasound-assisted synthesis, foam, antimicrobial properties