Sugar-Improved Enzymatic Synthesis of Biodiesel with Yarrowia lipolytica Lipase 2

Abstract

In this research, it was found that in Yarrowia lipolytica Lipase 2 (YLLIP2)-catalyzed biodiesel production, the content of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) was increased by about 10% with the addition of d(+)-glucose. The result indicated that the d(+)-glucose could be used as an effective additive in YLLIP2-catalyzed biodiesel production. In accordance with the results above, the single factor experiments of key parameters in the process were first carried out. On the basis of the single factor experiment results, a five-factor, three-level response surface method was adopted to obtain the optimal reaction conditions: lipase dosage 40 IU/g oil, d(+)-glucose to lipase 1:1.05 (w/w), water content 1.95%, and reaction temperature 39.4 °C. A stoichiometric amount of methanol (11.5%, methanol/waste oil) was added in 6 times (every 4 h for each addition). A subsequent pilot scale production in a 5-ton reactor was carried out to check the performance of this method, and a good biodiesel content of 91.4% was obt...