Abstract
The Amano lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (L-AK) was covalently immobilized on various carbon nanomaterials (functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide) and tested for biodiesel production. Using the most active lipase preparation (covalently immobilized L-AK on SwCNTNH2 derivatized with glycerol diglycidyl ether) under optimal conditions, quasi-complete conversion (>99%) of sunflower oil was obtained after only 4 h reaction time. Moreover, the biocatalyst maintained more than 99% of its initial activity in the batch system after multiple recycling experiments.
Highlights
According to the current consumption, the supply for the most commonly used fossil fuels will last no longer than 50 years [1]
A mixture of fatty acid alkyl esters, can be an ecofriendly alternative to fossil fuels since it can be obtained from vegetable oils or animal fat
Since lipase B from Candida antarctica covalently immobilized on carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SwCNTCOOH ) proved to be a highly efficient biocatalyst for biodiesel synthesis [36], and Amano lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (L-AK) shows an unusually high methanol and ethanol resistance, being efficient in biodiesel production [37] even after its immobilization on hydrophobic supports by adsorption [38], the present study aims to develop a novel, highly active and stable biocatalyst for the conversion of sunflower oil into the corresponding fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) through the covalent immobilization of L-AK on various hydrophobic carbon nanomaterial supports (carboxy and amino-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SwCNTCOOH and SwCNTNH2 ), and reduced graphene oxide) of large surface area, derivatized with various linkers with different lengths
Summary
According to the current consumption, the supply for the most commonly used fossil fuels will last no longer than 50 years [1]. A mixture of fatty acid alkyl esters, can be an ecofriendly alternative to fossil fuels since it can be obtained from vegetable oils or animal fat. Biodiesel is biodegradable; it has low toxicity and minimal emissions of sulfates and aromatic compounds [2]. Fungi oils can be processed through transesterification with short-chain alcohols for biodiesel production. The most commonly used alcohols for the transesterification reaction are methanol and ethanol. Despite the lower costs of methanol, ethanol remained more preferred due to its low toxicity, biodegradability and the possibility to obtain it through fermentation of renewable resources [8]
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