An original transesterification route for fatty acid ester production from vegetable oils in a solvent-free system

Author: Goma-Doncescu N.   Legoy M.  

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

ISSN: 0003-021X

Source: Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, Vol.74, Iss.9, 1997-09, pp. : 1137-1143

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Abstract

Wax ester production from a long-chain alcohol and methyl ester has been investigated with an immobilized thermostable lipase (lipozyme IM from Novo Nordisk). The transesterification reaction rate was monitored in solvent-free medium that was exclusively composed of the reactants and the enzyme. The transesterification is performed by simply mixing the two substrates in various stoichiometric amounts at a temperature range from 55 to 65°C under constant stirring in the presence of low concentrations of enzyme preparation (0.12 to 2%, w/w). Long-chain reactants produce waxes of high molecular mass that induce low solubility and high viscosity. On average, high transesterification yields are obtained (around 95%). Thermodynamic parameters involving substrate concentration and temperature have also been investigated. The balance between optimal working temperature and the molar ratio of substrates in such a complex medium appears to be 60°C, with a molar ratio methyl oleate/stearyl alcohol of 1:0.5. Substrate inhibition due to stearyl alcohol has been observed. A study of kinetic parameters has confirmed these results.

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