Question

Optically active mandelic acid can be synthesized from benzaldehyde in the presence of the enzyme:

• A. Invertin
• B. Myrosin
• C. Emulsin
• D. Zymase

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Mandelic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from natural sources such as almonds. The synthesis of optically active mandelic acid from benzaldehyde can be facilitated by certain enzymes. In this context, we need to identify which enzyme from the given options can perform this conversion. 

1. Understanding the Role of Enzymes: Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions. For producing optically active compounds, specific enzymes can catalyze asymmetric synthesis, which is responsible for producing chiral centers.
2. Options Analysis:
   • Invertin: This enzyme is typically associated with the conversion of sucrose into glucose and fructose, and it is not involved in the synthesis of mandelic acid.
   • Myrosin: Myrosinase is involved in the hydrolysis of glucosinolates but is not relevant to the synthesis of mandelic acid from benzaldehyde.
   • Emulsin: This is an enzyme preparation used to catalyze certain glycoside reactions. Emulsin is known for hydrolyzing certain glucosides and has been used in enzymatic reactions involving benzaldehyde.
   • Zymase: Zymase is a complex of enzymes that procures fermentation in sugars, primarily used in carbohydrate metabolism.
3. Correct Answer Justification: Among the options, Emulsin is the enzyme that can be used to synthesize optically active mandelic acid from benzaldehyde. This is due to its ability to perform specific conversions involving benzaldehyde.

Conclusion: The correct answer is Emulsin as it effectively catalyzes the conversion needed to synthesize mandelic acid.