Lipase based static emulsions as efficient biocatalysts for biodiesel production

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUNDEnzymatic production of biodiesel is an alternative solution to circumvent the problems associated with chemical catalysis. However, the drawbacks, including lower stability and reusability of the lipase, often make this route unfeasible for industrial application.RESULTSA stable biocatalyst system was prepared by trapping an aqueous solution of Burkholderiacepacia lipase (BCL) in bead‐shaped silicone microspheres (named lipase‐based static emulsions). Compared with free BCL, lipase‐based static emulsions showed outstanding stability under vigorous shaking conditions and the thermal stability was improved. The lipase‐based static emulsions were employed to catalyze the transesterification of soybean oil with ethanol for biodiesel production. Under the optimum conditions, about 95.42% of FAEE yield was achieved in 30 h. In addition, the lipase‐based static emulsions presented good reusability, and the FAEE yield remained at more than 70.63% after 15 successive reaction cycles. The lipase‐based static emulsions were also used to catalyze the transesterification of jatropha oil and cottonseed oil with ethanol for biodiesel production, and the maximum FAEE yield was 96.10% and 90.39%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSLipase‐based static emulsions were developed as robust biocatalysts by trapping an aqueous solution of lipase in silicone microspheres. The lipase‐based static emulsions catalyzed process may be a suitable technique for biodiesel production. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry