Application of lipase immobilized on nylon‐6 for the synthesis of butyl acetate by transesterification reaction inn‐heptane

Abstract

AbstractA purified alkaline thermotolerant bacterial lipase fromBacillus coagulansBTS‐3 was immobilized on nylon‐6 matrix activated by glutaraldehyde. The matrix showed ∼ 70% binding efficiency for lipase. The bound lipase was used to perform transesterification inn‐heptane. The reaction studied was conversion of vinyl acetate and butanol to butyl acetate and vinyl alcohol. Synthesis of butyl acetate was used as a parameter to study the transesterification reaction. The immobilized enzyme achieved ∼ 75% conversion of vinyl acetate and butanol (100 mmol/L each) into butyl acetate inn‐heptane at 55°C in 12 h. When alkane of C‐chain lower or higher thann‐heptane was used as an organic solvent, the conversion of vinyl acetate and butanol to butyl acetate decreased. During the repetitive transesterification under optimal conditions, the nylon bound lipase produced 77.6 mmol/L of butyl acetate after third cycle of reuse. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007