Optimised immobilisation of microbial lipase on hydrous niobium oxide

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of this work was to establish appropriate conditions for immobilising Candida rugosa lipase on a low‐cost inorganic matrix, hydrous niobium oxide, using a multivariate statistical approach. A 23 full factorial design was employed to determine the effects of support activation with glutaraldehyde (concentration 2.5–4.5%, pH 7–10) and lipase loading (200‐700 U g−1 matrix) on the hydrolytic and synthetic activities of the immobilised derivatives. From the results the following conditions were established: lipase loading of 450 U g−1 matrix and niobium oxide activation with glutaraldehyde at a concentration of 2.5% and pH 8. Under these conditions, high activity recovery (47.21%) and esterification yield (86.90%) were attained. The results also show that hydrous niobium oxide can be a valid alternative to replace high‐cost, commercially available inorganic matrices such as controlled pore silica. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry