Catalysis of ester hydrolysis by mixed micelles containing N-alpha-myristoyl-L-histidine.

Model compounds are described for the study of the properties of amino acid side chains in the surface of micelles. Mixed micelles of N-(alpha)- mnyristoyl-L- histidine and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide catalyze the hydrolyses of p-nitrophenyl acetate and p-nitrophenyl caprylate at much higher rates than imidazole or histidinie do. The reaction shows a kinetic behavior similar to that of surface-catalyzed reactions.