Conversion of vegetable oil to biodiesel using immobilized Candida antarctica lipase

Biodiesel derived from vegetable oils has drawn considerable attention with increasing environmental consciousness. We attempted continuous methanolysis of vegetable oil by an enzymatic process. Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase was found to be the most effective for the methanolysis among lipases tested. The enzyme was inactivated by shaking in a mixture containing more than 1.5 molar equivalents of methanol against the oil. To fully convert the oil to its corresponding methyl esters, at least 3 molar equivalents of methanol are needed. Thus, the reaction was conducted by adding methanol stepwise to avoid lipase inactivation. The first step of the reaction was conducted at 30°C for 10 h in a mixture of oil/methanol (1:1, mol/mol) and 4% immobilized lipase with shaking at 130 oscillations/min. After more than 95% methanol was consumed in ester formation, a second molar equivalent of methanol was added and the reaction continued for 14 h. The third molar equivalent of methanol was finally added and the reaction continued for 24 h (total reaction time, 48 h). This three-step process converted 98.4% of the oil to its corresponding methyl esters. To investigate the stability of the lipase, the three-step methanolysis process was repeated by transferring the immobilized lipase to a fresh substrate mixture. As a result, more than 95% of the ester conversion was maintained even after 50 cycles of the reaction (100 d).     

Enzymatic Production of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters by Hydrolysis of Acid Oil Followed by Esterification

Acid oil, a by-product of vegetable oil refining, was enzymatically converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Acid oil contained free fatty acids (FFA), acylglycerols, and lipophilic compounds. First, acylglycerols (11 wt%) were hydrolyzed at 30 °C by 20 units Candida rugosa lipase/g-mixture with 40 wt% water. The resulting oil layer containing 92 wt% FFA was used for the next reaction, methyl esterification of FFA to FAME by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase. A mixture of 66 wt% oil layer and 34 wt% methanol (5 mol for FFA) were shaken at 30 °C with 1.0 wt% lipase. The degree of esterification reached 96% after 24 h. The resulting reaction mixture was then dehydrated and subjected to the second esterification that was conducted with 2.2 wt% methanol (5 mol for residual FFA) and 1.0 wt% immobilized lipase. The degree of esterification of residual FFA reached 44%. The degree increased successfully to 72% (total degree of esterification 99%) by conducting the reaction in the presence of 10 wt% glycerol, because water in the oil layer was attracted to the glycerol layer. Over 98% of total esterification was maintained, even though the first and the second esterification reactions were repeated every 24 h for 40 days. The enzymatic process comprising hydrolysis and methyl esterification produced an oil containing 91 wt% FAME, 1 wt% FFA, 1 wt% acylglycerols, and 7 wt% lipophilic compounds.     

Continuous production of biodiesel fuel from vegetable oil using immobilized Candida antarctica lipase

Candida antarctica lipase is inactivated in a mixture of vegetable oil and more than 1∶2 molar equivalent of methanol against the total fatty acids. We have revealed that the inactivation was eliminated by three successive additions of 1∶3 molar equivalent of methanol and have developed a three-step methanolysis by which over 95% of the oil triacylglycerols (TAG) were converted to their corresponding methyl esters (ME). In this study, the lipase was not inactivated even though 2∶3 molar equivalent of methanol was present in a mixture of acylglycerols (AG) and 33% ME (AG/ME33). This finding led to a two-step methanolysis of the oil TAG: The first-step was conducted at 30°C for 12 h with shaking in a mixture of the oil, 1∶3 molar equivalent of methanol, and 4% immobilized lipase; the second-step reaction was done for 24 h after adding 2∶3 molar equivalent of methanol (36 h in total). The two-step methanolysis achieved more than 95% of conversion. When two-step reaction was repeated by transferring the immobilized lipase to a fresh substrate mixture, the enzyme could be used 70 cycles (105 d) without any decrease in the conversion. From the viewpoint of the industrial production of biodiesel fuel production, the two-step reaction was conducted using a reactor with impeller. However, the enzyme carrier was easily destroyed, and the lipase could be used only several times. Thus, we attempted flow reaction using a column packed with immobilized Candida lipase. Because the lipase packed in the column was drastically inactivated by feeding a mixture of AG/ME33 and 2∶3 molar equivalent of methanol, three-step flow reaction was performed using three columns packed with 3.0 g immobilized lipase. A mixture of vegetable oil and 1∶3 molar equivalent of methanol was fed into the first column at a constant flow rate of 6.0 mL/h. The eluate and 1∶3 molar equivalent of methanol were mixed and then fed into the second column at the same flow rate. The final step reaction was done by feeding a mixture of eluate from the second column and 1∶3 molar equivalent of methanol at the same flow rate. The ME content in the final-step eluate reached 93%, and the lipase could be used for 100 d without any decrease in the conversion.     

One‐Pot Lipase Entrapment Within Silica Particles to Prepare a Stable and Reusable Biocatalyst for Transesterification

In order to enhance the reusability, Rhizomucor miehei lipase was entrapped in a single step within silica particles having an oleic acid core (RML@SiO₂). Characterization of RML@SiO₂ by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared studies supported the lipase immobilization within silica particles. The immobilized enzyme was employed for transesterification of cottonseed oil with methanol and ethanol. Under the optimum reaction conditions of a methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio of 12:1 or ethanol‐to‐oil molar ratio of 15:1, stirring speed of 250 revolutions/min (flask radius = 3 cm), reaction temperature of 40 °C, and biocatalyst concentration of 5 wt% (with respect to oil), more than 98 % alkyl ester yield was achieved in 16 and 24 h of reaction duration in case of methanolysis and ethanolysis, respectively. The immobilized enzyme did not require any buffer solution or organic solvent for optimum activity; hence, the produced biodiesel and glycerol were free from metal ion or organic molecule contamination. The activation energies for the immobilized enzyme‐catalyzed ethanolysis and methanolysis were found to be 34.9 ± 1.6 and 19.7 ± 1.8 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The immobilized enzyme was recovered from the reaction mixture and reused in 12 successive runs without significant loss of activity. Additionally, RML@SiO₂ demonstrated better reusability as well as stability in comparison to the native enzyme as the former did not lose the activity even upon storage at room temperature (25–30 °C) over an 8‐month period.     

Production of organic solvent tolerant lipase by Staphylococcus caseolyticus EX17 using raw glycerol as substrate

BACKGROUND: In this work we used Plackett–Burman statistical design and central composite design in order to optimize culture conditions for lipase production by Staphylococcus caseolyticus strain EX17 growing on raw glycerol, which was obtained as a by‐product of the enzymatic synthesis of biodiesel. The stability of lipase was verified over several organic solvents, such as methanol, ethanol and n‐hexane. RESULTS: Optimal culture conditions for lipase production were found to be 36 °C, initial pH 8.12, glycerol 30 g L^?1, olive oil 3.0 g L^?1, and soybean oil 2.5 g L^?1, with 145.8 U L^?1 of enzyme activity. When commercial glycerol was substituted by the raw glycerol from biodiesel synthesis, lipolytic activity was 127.3 U L^?1. Experimental validation of enzyme production matched values predicted by the mathematical model, which was 138.3 U L^?1. Stability tests showed that lipase from S. caseolyticus EX17 was stable in methanol, ethanol, and n‐hexane. CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained in this work suggest that raw glycerol can be used for lipase production by S. caseolyticus EX17 and that this enzyme has a potential application in the synthesis of biodiesel. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biodiesel production using immobilized enzyme-current state and future perspective

近年来由于化石燃料的全球性短缺、原油价格的过度上涨和环境问题的加剧致使生物柴油的生产迅速增长。生物柴油生产的关键反应是化学或生物催化的转酯反应,酶催化的转酯反应与化学催化相比有相对节能、副产物甘油易回收及适合高含量游离脂肪酸油脂作为底物等明显优势。本文综述了固定化脂肪酶生产生物柴油的现状及最新进展,包括生物柴油的原料、脂肪酶的来源、酶的固定化技术、甲（乙）醇及甘油对脂肪酶的失活作用,展望了固定化脂肪酶生产生物柴油的未来前景。     

Lipase-catalyzed glycerolysis of soybean oil in supercritical carbon dioxide

The transesterification of soybean oil with glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, and methanol by an immobilized lipase in flowing supercritical carbon dioxide for the synthesis of monoglycerides is described. A lipase from Candida antarctica was used to catalyze the reaction of soybean oil with glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, ethylene glycol, and methanol. Reactions were performed in supercritical carbon dioxide at a density of 0.72 g/L and at a flow rate of 6 μL/min (expanded gas). The substrates were added at flows ranging from 2.5 to 100 μL/min. Monoglycerides were obtained at up to 87 wt%, and fatty acid methyl esters at nearly 100 wt%. The reactivity of the alcohols paralleled the solubility of the substrate in liquid carbon dioxide. Glycerol has the slowest reaction rate, only 2% of that of methanol.     

Thermal Stability of Immobilized Lipase from Candida antarctica in Glycerols with Various Water Contents at Elevated Temperatures

The immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica (fraction B, CALB) was incubated in glycerols with various water contents at 80–100 °C to measure the residual activity as a function of time. The glycerol-containing water stabilized the immobilized CALB, especially at 30–60 wt% water contents. The thermal inactivation behaviors of the immobilized CALB were expressed by a model in which the free energy of activation for the inactivation of the immobilized lipase molecules obeyed a Gaussian distribution.     

Lipase‐catalyzed alcoholysis of vegetable oils

Fatty acid alkyl esters were produced from various vegetable oils by transesterification with different alcohols using immobilized lipases. Using n‐hexane as organic solvent, all immobilized lipases tested were found to be active during methanolysis. Highest conversion (97%) was observed with Thermomyces lanuginosa lipase after 24 h. In contrast, this lipase was almost inactive in a solvent‐free reaction medium using methanol or 2‐propanol as alcohol substrates. This could be overcome by a three‐step addition of methanol, which works efficiently for a range of vegetable oils (e.g. cottonseed, peanut, sunflower, palm olein, coconut and palm kernel) using immobilized lipases from Pseudomonas fluorescens (AK lipase) and Rhizomucor miehei (RM lipase). Repeated batch reactions showed that Rhizomucor miehei lipase was very stable over 120 h. AK and RM lipases also showed acceptable conversion levels for cottonseed oil with ethanol, 1‐propanol, 1‐butanol and isobutanol (50‐65% conversion after 24 h) in solvent‐free conditions. Methyl and isopropyl fatty acid esters obtained by enzymatic alcoholysis of natural vegetable oils can find application in biodiesel fuels and cosmetics industry, respectively.     

Production of biodiesel from palm oil using liquid core lipase encapsulated in κ-carrageenan

This work deals with the enzymatic transesterification of palm oil with methanol in a solvent-free system. Among the five lipases tested in the initial screening, lipase PS from Burkholderia cepacia resulted in the highest triglyceride conversion. Lipase PS was further investigated in a novel immobilized form by encapsulating within a biopolymer, κ-carrageenan. Using the immobilized lipase the production parameters of biodiesel from palm oil were optimized. The optimal conditions for processing 10 g of palm oil was: 30 °C, 1:7 oil/methanol molar ratio, 1 g water, 5.25 g immobilized lipase, 72 h reaction time and 23.7g relative centrifugal force. At the optimal conditions, triglyceride conversion of up to 100% could be obtained. The immobilized lipase was stable and retained 82% relative transesterification activity after five cycles. Liquid core lipase encapsulated in κ-carrageenan could be a potential immobilized catalyst for eco-friendly production of biodiesel.     

Immobilization of Candida antarctica lipase onto cellulose acetate-coated Fe2O3 nanoparticles for glycerolysis of olive oil

Candida antarctica lipase was covalently immobilized onto the surface of cellulose acetate-coated Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. The characterizations of immobilized lipase were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM). The immobilized lipase was assayed for production of monoglycerides (MG) and diglycerides (DG) by glycerolysis of olive oil in a solvent medium. The effect of various reaction conditions on the MG and DG production such as reaction time, temperature, the molar ratio of glycerol to oil and amount of immobilized lipase was investigated. The optimum condition for MG and DG production was found at 50 °C temperature and 0.025 g of lipase with the molar ratio of glycerol to oil 1.5: 1 in 5 h of reaction time. The effect of substrate concentration on enzymatic activity of the free and immobilized lipase showed the best fits to the Lineweaver-Burk plots. The K _m and V _max values of immobilized lipase were found to be 25mM and 0.58mM/min, whereas that for free lipase was 52.63mM and 1.75mM/min, respectively. The activation and deactivation energy was found to decrease for immobilization of lipase on cellulose acetate-coated Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles.     

Synthesis of geranyl acetate by esterification with lipase entrapped in hybrid sol-gel formed within nonwoven fabric

Candida cylindracea lipase was entrapped in organic-inorganic hybrid sol-gel polymers made from tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and alkyltrimethoxysilanes. By forming the gels within the pores of a nonwoven polyester fabric, a novel immobilized biocatalyst in sheet configuration based on sol-gel en-trapment of the enzyme was obtained. Lipases immobilized in sol-gel matrices efficiently catalyzed the direct esterification reaction of geraniol and acetic acid in anhydrous hexane to produce geranyl acetate. The optimal formulation of the sol-gel solution for enzyme immobilization was at a 20∶1 molar ratio of water to total silane; a 4∶1 molar ratio of propyltrimethoxysilane to TMOS; hydrolysis time at 30 min; and enzyme loading of 200 mg lipase/g gel. Under these conditions, protein immobilization efficiency was 91%, and the specific activity of the immobilized enzyme was 2.6 times that of the free enzyme. Excellent thermal stability was found for the immobilized enzyme in dry form or in hexane solution in the presence of acetic acid, in which case severe inactivation of free enzyme was observed. The immobilized enzyme retained its activity after heating at 70°C for 2 h, whereas the free enzyme lost 80% of its activity.     

Production of FAME from acid oil model using immobilized <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida antarctica</Emphasis> lipase

Acid oil is a by-product in the neutralization step of vegetable oil refining and is an alternative source of biodiesel fuel. A model substrate of acid oil, which is composed of TAG and FFA, was used in experiments on the conversion to FAME by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase. FFA in the mixture of TAG/FFA were efficiently esterified with methanol (MeOH), but the water generated by the esterification significantly inhibited methanolysis of TAG. We thus attempted to convert a mixture of TAG/FFA to FAME by a two-step process comprising methyl esterification of FFA and methanolysis of TAG by immobilized C. antarctica lipase. The first reaction was conducted at 30°C in a mixture of TAG/FFA (1∶1, wt/wt) and 10 wt% MeOH using 0.5 wt% immobilized lipase, resulting in efficient esterification of FFA. The reaction mixture after 24 h was composed of 49.1 wt% TAG, 1.3 wt% FFA, 49.1 wt% FAME, and negligible amounts of DAG and MAG (<0.5 wt%). The reaction mixture was then dehydrated and used as a substrate for the second reaction, which was conducted at 30°C in a solution of the dehydrated mixture and 5.5 wt% MeOH using 6 wt% immobilized lipase. The activity of the lipase increased gradually when the reaction was repeated by transferring the enzyme to a fresh substrate mixture. The activity reached a maximum after 6 cycles, and the content of FAME achieved was >98.5 wt% after a 24-h reaction. The immobilized lipase was very stable in the first-and second-step reactions and could be used for >100 d without significant loss of activity.     

Characterisation of acylglycerol synthesis in aqueous foams by lipases

Low water systems have become important for organic synthetic reactions catalysed by enzymes. Esterification reactions could be catalysed by lipase in multiphasic reaction media, such as foams, containing excess water. The esterification of glycerol with oleic acid catalysed by lipase in aqueous foams has been characterised. More than 80% of the oleic acid was converted to glycerides within 10 h. Preliminary characterisation of the reaction with respect to time, pH and temperature indicate that acylglycerol synthesis in foam media as similar to hydrolysis by the same lipase. The observed high K_m of glycerol for the esterification reaction may be due to poor surface active properties of glycerol. The unique advantages of foam as a medium to conduct lipase reactions are discussed. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Immobilization and stabilization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> SRT9 lipase on tri(4-formyl phenoxy) cyanurate

Lipase was extracted and purified from Pseudomonas aeruginosa SRT9. Culture conditions were optimized and highest lipase production amounting to 147.36 U/ml was obtained after 20 h incubation. The extracellular lipase was purified on Mono QHR5/5 column, resulting in a purification factor of 98-fold with specific activity of 12307.81 U/mg. Lipase was immobilized on tri (4-formyl phenoxy) cyanurate to form Schiff’s base. An immobilization yield of 85% was obtained. The native and immobilized lipases were used for catalyzing the hydrolysis of olive oil in aqueous medium. Comparative study revealed that immobilized lipase exhibited a shift in optimal pH from 6.9 (free lipase) to 7.5 and shift in optimal temperature from 55 °C to 70 °C. The immobilized lipase showed 20–25% increase in thermal stability and retained 75% of its initial activity after 7 cycles. It showed good stability in organic solvents especially in 30% acetone and methanol. Enzyme activity was decreased by ∼60% when incubated with 30% butanol. The kinetic studies revealed increase in K _M value from 0.043 mM (native) to 0.10 mM for immobilized lipase. It showed decrease in the V _max of immobilized enzyme (142.8 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹), suggesting enzyme activity decrease in the course of covalent binding. The immobilized lipase retained its initial activity for more than 30 days when stored at 4 °C in Tris-HCl buffer pH 7.0 without any significant loss in enzyme activity.     

Enzymatische Herstellung von festen Fettsäuremonoglyceriden

Enzymatic Preparation of Solid Fatty Acid Monoglycerides Lipases can be used to synthesize monoglycerides from solid fatty acids and glycerol. We have examined the conditions of such reaction systems with a view to developing a simple technical process. The selectivity of the Penicillium cyclopium and Rhizopus sp. lipases were studied at high rates of fatty acid turnover. By the correct choice of lipase, temperature and water content, the reaction may be steered in the direction of either monoglycerides of diglycerides. Using the Penicillium lipase under narrowly defined reaction conditions a highly selective monoglyceride synthesis is possible. Di glycerides are almost the sole products when using the Rhizopus lipase at 40°C. At 20°C, but under otherwise identical conditions, the main products are monoglycerides. The Penicillium lipase catalyzes the synthesis of monoglycerides at both 20°C and 40°C, provided that the water content of the glycerine is less than 10%. At a glycerol concentration of 80% the selectivity changes such that more diglycerides are formed. The enzymatic synthesis of glycerides can be so regulated that more than 95% of the available fatty acid is incorporated into monoglyceride. After melting the reaction mixture and allowing it to stand for less than an hour, the phases separate and excess glycerol can be separated very simply. A product conforming to industry specifications can then be produced by distilling off the trace amounts of remaining glycerol from the lipid phase.     

Enzymatic transesterification of sunflower oil in an aqueous-oil biphasic system

A biphasic oil-aqueous system for FAME production by enzymatic catalysis was studied. The transesterification of sunflower oil with methanol was catalyzed by free or immobilized lipases from Rhizomucor miehei (Palatase 20 000 L) and Humicola insolens (Lipozyme TL 100 L). The effects of protein amount, temperature, pH, and molar ratio of methanol to sunflower oil on the enzymatic reaction using free lipase were evaluated; the best results were obtained with H. insolens, at pH 5, 40°C, and 36.8 mg of protein. By using this lipase immobilized in Hypol^® 2002 (64. 8 mg of protein) at a 6∶1 methanol/oil molar ratio and a 2∶1 volumetric oil/water phase ratio, an ester content of 96.1% and a conversion of 91.2% were achieved. The immobilized lipase could be reused, although a 30% reduction in conversion efficiency was observed after four uses.     

Cross-Linking of Lipases Adsorbed on Hydrophobic Supports: Highly Selective Hydrolysis of Fish Oil Catalyzed by RML

Organic cosolvents may improve the properties of lipases (e.g., selectivity); however, organic cosolvents also promote the desorption of the enzyme from its hydrophobic supports. In this study, adsorbed lipase molecules were cross-linked with polyfunctional polymers, such as aldehyde-dextrans, to prevent this desorption. The desorption of adsorbed lipases was greatly reduced by optimizing the polymer size, polymer/lipase ratio, and cross-linking time. More than 95% of cross-linked, immobilized Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) remained adsorbed on the support after washing with cosolvents or detergents. This new, immobilized RML preparation mediated the hydrolysis of sardine oil in the presence of organic cosolvents. The presence of cosolvents promoted small losses of hydrolytic activity. Interestingly, however, 50% 2-propanol also promoted increased selectivity in the release of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in relation to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). An EPA/DHA ratio of 4:1 in the absence of 2-propanol was increased to a ratio of 22:1 in the presence of 2-propanol. The new RML derivatives were relatively stable under the selected reaction conditions. Their overall half-life was 100 h, but, in a second inactivation phase (below 60% of remaining activity), it took 600 h to reach 30% of their remaining activity.     

Biodiesel Synthesis in a Solvent-Free System by Recombinant Rhizopus oryzae Lipase. Study of the Catalytic Reaction Progress

The recombinant 1,3-positional selective Rhizopus oryzae lipase (rROL) was used to synthesize biodiesel and monoacylglycerols simultaneously. The reaction was carried out in a solvent-free system with the enzyme immobilized on octadecyl-Sepabeads. Using response surface methodology, the methyl ester yield was optimized by means of the study of the effect of water, substrate molar ratio (methanol:olive oil) and methanol stepwise addition. It was concluded that in order to prevent enzyme inactivation by methanol, alcohol should be added slowly; otherwise a large amount of water would be present. Taking the best conditions, a 50.3 % yield was achieved in 3 h, which corresponds to 75.4 % of the acyl groups at the 1,3-position undergoing transesterification. It was also concluded that methyl esters result from the esterification of the free fatty acid hydrolyzed by the enzyme and also from a direct transesterification of oil. In addition, the fatty acid selectivity of rROL was found not to favor one fatty acid in olive oil over another.     

Synthesis of medium-chain glycerides using lipase from Candida rugosa

Enzymatic synthesis of medium-chain glycerides (MCG) from capric acid and glycerol was studied using lipase from Candida rugosa. The effects of various reaction parameters such as time, molar ratio of substrates (mmol capric acid/mmol glycerol), amount of lipase, type of organic solvents, and initial water activity (a _w ) were studied. The best conditions tested for MCG synthesis at 37°C were, respectively, time, 24 h; molar ratio of substrates, 2.5; and amount of lipase, 100.0 mg. The use of organic solvents greatly influenced the activity of lipase in the synthesis of MCG. Generally, activity of lipase was high in nonpolar solvents with log P values from 3.50 to 4.50, where P is the partition coefficient between water and 1-octanol. The enzymatic synthesis of MCG was preferably carried out at an initial a _w of 0.328, which resulted in maximal yield. Analysis of the products of reaction using gas chromatography showed that lipase from Candida rugosa seemed to produce more dicaprin and tricaprin than monocaprin.