Thermodynamic properties of the enzymatic hydrolysis of sunflower oil in high‐pressure reactors

Abstract

AbstractOn the basis of our previous results, where optimal conditions for the lipase‐catalyzed hydrolysis of sunflower oil in a high‐pressure batch stirred tank reactor were determined, some thermodynamic and kinetic properties of lipase preparation Lipolase 100T (Aspergillus niger lipase) were established. Activation energy (32.7 kJ/mol) was determined from an Arrhenius plot. Activity of the Lipolase 100T increased between 35 and 50°C, but with further temperature increase thermal deactivation occurred. The thermal deactivation rate constant was 0.40, and the deactivation enthalpy was 123.0 kJ/mol. Because of the desirability of continuous applications of enzyme‐catalyzed reactions, a high‐pressure continuous flat‐shape membrane reactor (HP CFSMR) was designed. Hydrolysis of sunflower oil in this reactor was performed. Maximal conversion in the HP CFSMR was achieved after 1 h. A polysulfone membrane was successfully used as a separation unit, and the highest conversion of FFA was determined at 50°C, 200 bar, and a flow rate for substrates of 0.1 mL/min (each).