Abstract
In view of the rising global problems of environment pollution and degradation, the present process provides a ‘green solution’ to the synthesis of higher esters of lubricant range, more specifically in the range C12-C36, using different combinations of acids and alcohols, in a single step reaction. The esters produced are biodegradable in nature and have a plethora of uses, such as in additives, as lubricating oils and other hydraulic fluids. The enzymatic esterification was performed using liquid (non-immobilized or free) lipase enzyme, without any additional organic solvent. Soluble lipase proves to be superior to immobilized enzymes as it is more cost effective and provides a faster process for the production of higher esters of lubricant range. An interesting finding was, that the lipase enzyme showed higher conversion rates with increasing carbon number of straight chain alcohols and acids. Reactions were carried out for the optimization of initial water concentration, temperature, pH of the substrate mixture and the chain length of the substrates. Under optimized conditions, the method was suitable to achieve ~ 99% conversion. Thus, the process provides an environment friendly, enzymatic alternative to the chemical route which is currently used in the industrial synthesis of lubricant components.
Highlights
Lubricants have an enormous market worldwide and its consumption has increased by leaps and bounds in the last decade
Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) results As the mobile phase traveled up the Thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate, the compounds present in the samples moved up at different rates according to the nature of the compounds
The High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) system was run at 40 psi pressure and 50°C drift temperature using Agilent eclipse plus C18 column. 96% methanol and 4% hexane were used as the mobile phase
Summary
Lubricants have an enormous market worldwide and its consumption has increased by leaps and bounds in the last decade. Lipases have the potential to catalyze various kinds of reactions such as synthesis of esters, triacylglycerols and polymers, enantiomer resolution, fatty-acid enrichment, biodiesel production, phospholipid conversion, carbohydrate modification etc Due to their multiple uses, lipases have recently garnered interest of researchers across the globe and is one of the most studied groups of enzymes. There are some reports available which elucidate the use of Novozymes Callera Trans L enzyme for the purpose of FAME (Fatty acid methyl esters) production This enzyme has been used for the production of FAMEs in water containing systems using crude soyabean oil as a feedstock (Cesarini et al 2013).
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