Optimization of lipase-catalyzed biodiesel by response surface methodology

Biodiesel prepared by catalyzed mild transesterification has become of much current interest for bioenergy. The ability of a commercial immobilized lipase (Novo Industries--Bagsvaerd, Denmark) from Rhizomucor miehei (Lipozyme IM-77) to catalyze the transesterification of soybean oil and methanol was investigated in this study. Response surface methodology and 5-level-5-factor central composite rotatable design were employed to evaluate the effects on reaction time, temperature, enzyme amount, molar ratio of methanol to soybean oil, and added water content on percentage weight conversion to soybean oil methyl ester by transesterification. Based on ridge max analysis, the optimum synthesis conditions giving 92.2% weight conversion were: reaction time 6.3 h, temperature 36.5 degrees C, enzyme amount 0.9 BAUN (Batch Acidolysis Units NOVO), substrate molar ratio 3.4:1, and added water 5.8%.     

Production of diacylglycerols from glycerol monooleate and ethyl oleate through free and immobilized lipase-catalyzed consecutive reactions

The ability of free and immobilized lipase on the production of diacylglycerols (DAG) by transesterification of glycerol monooleate (GMO) and ethyl oleate was investigated. Among three free lipases such as lipase G (Penicillium cyclopium), lipase AK (Pseudomonas fluorescens) and lipase PS (Pseudomonas cepacia), lipase PS exhibited the highest DAG productivity, and the DAG content gradually increased up to 24 hours reaction and then remained steady. The comparative result for DAG productivity between free lipase PS and immobilized lipases (lipase PS-D and Lipozyme RM IM) during nine times of 24 hours reaction indicated that total DAG production was higher in immobilized lipase PS-D (183.5mM) and Lipozyme RM IM (309.5mM) than free lipase PS (122.0mM) at the first reaction, and that the DAG production rate was reduced by consecutive reactions, in which more sn-1,3-DAG was synthesized than sn-1,2-DAG. During the consecutive reactions, the activity of lipase PS was relatively steady by showing similar DAG content, whereas DAG production of lipase PS-D and Lipozyme RM IM was gradually decreased to 69.9 and 167.1mM at 9th reaction, respectively, resulting in 62% and 46% reduced production when compared with 1st reaction. Interestingly, from 7th reaction lipase PS produced more DAG than immobilized lipase PS-D, and exhibited a stable activity for DAG production. Therefore, the present study suggested that DAG productivity between GMO and ethyl oleate was higher in immobilized lipases than free lipases, but the activity was reduced with repeated uses.     

Two step ethanolysis: A simple and efficient way to improve the enzymatic biodiesel synthesis catalyzed by an immobilized–stabilized lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus

In this study the immobilization and stabilization of a lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL) on aldehyde-Lewatit (Lew-TLL) are described. TLL immobilization was rapid and over 90% of lipase activity was recovered after the immobilization. Lew-TLL was 10-fold more thermo stable than the commercial TLL preparation, Lipozyme TL-IM. The stabilized Lew-TLL was used for the enzymatic transesterification of ethanol and soybean oil. The transesterification was carried out following different strategies. First, with 7.5:1 molar ratio of ethanol:soybean oil, 15% immobilized enzyme and 4% water at 30 °C. In the presence of n-hexane, the transesterification reached 100% conversion, while in solvent-free system the yield was 75%. Second, at stoichiometric molar ratio, the yield was 70% conversion after 10 h of reaction in both systems. After this, transesterification was carried out by three stepwise additions of ethanol with a yield of 80% conversion, while a two step ethanolysis produced 100% conversion after 10 h of reaction in both solvent and solvent-free systems.     

Enzymatic coproduction of biodiesel and glycerol carbonate from soybean oil and dimethyl carbonate

The enzymatic coproduction of biodiesel and glycerol carbonate by the transesterification of soybean oil was studied using lipase as catalyst in organic solvent. To produce biodiesel and glycerol carbonate simultaneously, experiments were designed sequentially. Enzyme screening, the molar ratio of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) to soybean oil, reaction temperature and solvent effects were investigated. The results of enzyme screening, at 100 g/L Novozym 435 (immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B), biodiesel and glycerol carbonate showed conversions of 58.7% and 50.7%, respectively. The optimal conditions were 60 °C, 100 g/L Novozym 435, 6.0:1 molar ratio with tert-butanol as solvent: 84.9% biodiesel and 92.0% glycerol carbonate production was achieved.     

Lipase-catalyzed transesterification of soybean oil for biodiesel production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-amyl alcohol

Lipase-catalyzed transesterification of soybean oil and methanol for biodiesel production in tert-amyl alcohol was investigated. The effects of different organic medium, molar ratio of substrate, reaction temperature, agitation speed, lipase dosage and water content on the total conversion were systematically analyzed. Under the optimal conditions identified (6 mL tert-amyl alcohol, three molar ratio of methanol to oil, 2% Novozym 435 lipase based on the soybean oil weight, temperature 40°C, 2% water content based on soybean oil weight, 150 rpm and 15 h), the highest biodiesel conversion yield of 97% was obtained. With tert-amyl alcohol as the reaction medium, the negative effects caused by excessive molar ratio of methanol to oil and the by-product glycerol could be reduced. Furthermore, there was no evident loss in the lipase activity even after being repeatedly used for more than 150 runs.     

Enzyme immobilization utilizing a porous ceramics support for chiral synthesis

A novel porous ceramics support, named "Toyonite," for the immobilization of enzymes was prepared from the minerals of kaolinite under acidic conditions. Modification of the porous surface of Toyonite with two different organic coating agents gave Toyonite 200-M (TN-M), and Toyonite 200-A (TN-A), possessing methacryloyloxy and amino groups on the respective surfaces. Compared with other solid supports, TN-M and TN-A supports exhibited high selectivity for lipase PS (Pseudomonas cepacia, Amano) and glucoamylase (Gluczyme AF 6, Amano) proteins, respectively. The activities of both the transesterification of rac-1 with TN-M PS lipase and the hydrolysis of starch with TN-A glucoamylase were greater than those of similar reactions with these two enzymes immobilized on other solid supports. Further, TN-M PS lipase showed higher reactivity toward synthetic substrates, including aromatic and aliphatic secondary alcohols, than the free enzyme powder.     

An integrated approach to produce biodiesel and monoglycerides by enzymatic interestification of babassu oil (Orbinya sp)

Two screenings of commercial lipases were performed to find a lipase with superior performance for the integrated production of biodiesel and monoglycerides. The first screening was carried out under alcoholysis conditions using ethanol as acyl acceptor to convert triglycerides to their corresponding ethyl esters (biodiesel). The second screening was performed under glycerolysis conditions to yield monoglycerides (MG). All lipases were immobilized on silica–PVA composite by covalent immobilization. The assays were performed using babassu oil and alcohols (ethanol or glycerol) in solvent free systems. For both substrates, lipase from Burkholderia cepacia (lipase PS) was found to be the most suitable enzyme to attain satisfactory yields. To further improve the process, the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optima operating conditions for each biotransformation. For biodiesel production, the highest transesterification yield (>98%) was achieved within 48 h reaction at 39 °C using an oil-to-ethanol molar ratio of 1:7. For MG production, optima conditions corresponded to oil-to-glycerol molar ratio of 1:15 at 55 °C, yielding 25 wt.% MG in 6 h reaction. These results show the potential of B. cepacia lipase to catalyze both reactions and the feasibility to consider an integrated approach for biodiesel and MG production.     

Soybean oil methyl esters preparation using NaX zeolites loaded with KOH as a heterogeneous catalyst

The transesterification of soybean oil with methanol to methyl esters was carried out using NaX zeolites loaded with KOH as a solid base catalyst. Best result was obtained with NaX zeolite loaded with 10% KOH, followed by heating at 393 K for 3 h. When the transesterification reaction was carried out at reflux of methanol (338 K), with a 10:1 molar ratio of methanol to soybean oil, a reaction time of 8 h and a catalyst amount of 3 wt.%, the conversion of soybean oil was 85.6%.     

Transesterification of canola oil in mixed methanol/ethanol system and use of esters as lubricity additive

Transesterification of canola oil was carried out with methanol, ethanol, and various mixtures of methanol/ethanol, keeping the molar ratio of oil to alcohol 1:6 and using KOH as a catalyst. Mixtures of alcohol increased the rate of transesterification reaction and produced methyl as well as ethyl esters. The increased rate was result of better solubility of oil in reaction mixture due to better solvent properties of ethanol than methanol and equilibrium due to methanol. With 3:3 molar ratio of methanol to ethanol {MEE (3:3)} the amount of ethyl ester formed was 50% that of methyl ester. Properties (acid value, viscosity, density) of all esters including mixed esters were within the limits of ASTM standards. Lubricities of these esters are in the order: ethyl ester>methyl ethyl ester>methyl ester.     

固定化脂肪酶催化毛油合成生物柴油

本研究开发了一种用石油醚提取毛油的工艺,研究了以提取的毛油和甲醇为原料,用固定化Candida sp.99-125脂肪酶催化合成脂肪酸甲酯(FAMEs)的可行性。同时考察了磷脂对固定化酶活性、反应起始速率、固定化酶使用批次的影响以及毛油和精炼油对固定化酶使用批次等的影响。研究结果表明,用磷脂质量分数为1%的石油醚悬液浸泡过的脂肪酶比仅用石油醚浸泡过的脂肪酶初始转酯化速率显著下降。当大豆油中无磷脂时,15min时FAMEs的产率为26.2%;磷脂质量分数为5%时,FAMEs降为12.4%。当大豆油中磷脂质量分数小于1%时,固定化酶使用10个批次,FAMEs产率无明显变化。固定化脂肪酶催化石油醚浸提得到的大豆和小桐子毛油,经过10个批次反应FAMEs产率都保持在70%以上,该固定化酶直接催化毛油生产生物柴油具有良好的工业化前景。     

Ultrasonic irradiation with vibration for biodiesel production from soybean oil by Novozym 435

The production of biodiesel with soybean oil and methanol through transesterification by Novozym 435 (Candida antarctica lipase B immobilized on polyacrylic resin) were conducted under two different conditions—ultrasonic irradiation and vibration to compare their overall effects. Compared with vibration, ultrasonic irradiation significantly enhanced the activity of Novozym 435. The reaction rate was further increased under the condition of ultrasonic irradiation with vibration (UIV). Effects of reaction conditions, such as ultrasonic power, water content, organic solvents, ratio of solvent/oil, ratio of methanol/oil, enzyme dosage and temperature on the activity of Novozym 435 were investigated under UIV. Under the optimum conditions (50% of ultrasonic power, 50 rpm vibration, water content of 0.5%, tert-amyl alcohol/oil volume ratio of 1:1, methanol/oil molar ratio of 6:1, 6% Novozym 435 and 40 °C), 96% yield of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) could be achieved in 4 h. Furthermore, repeated use of Novozym 435 after five cycles showed no obvious loss in enzyme activity, which suggested this enzyme was stable under the UIV condition. These results indicated that UIV was a fast and efficient method for biodiesel production.     

Evaluation of immobilized lipases on poly-hydroxybutyrate beads to catalyze biodiesel synthesis

Five microbial lipase preparations from several sources were immobilized by hydrophobic adsorption on small or large poly-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) beads and the effect of the support particle size on the biocatalyst activity was assessed in the hydrolysis of olive oil, esterification of butyric acid with butanol and transesterification of babassu oil (Orbignya sp.) with ethanol. The catalytic activity of the immobilized lipases in both olive oil hydrolysis and biodiesel synthesis was influenced by the particle size of PHB and lipase source. In the esterification reaction such influence was not observed. Geobacillus thermocatenulatus lipase (BTL2) was considered to be inadequate to catalyze biodiesel synthesis, but displayed high esterification activity. Butyl butyrate synthesis catalyzed by BTL2 immobilized on small PHB beads gave the highest yield (≈90 mmol L(-1)). In biodiesel synthesis, the catalytic activity of the immobilized lipases was significantly increased in comparison to the free lipases. Full conversion of babassu oil into ethyl esters was achieved at 72 h in the presence of Pseudozyma antarctica type B (CALB), Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (Lipex(?) 100 L) immobilized on either small or large PHB beads and Pseudomonas fluorescens (PFL) immobilized on large PHB beads. The latter preparation presented the highest productivity (40.9 mg of ethyl esters mg(-1) immobilized protein h(-1)).     

Lipase-catalyzed methanolysis of palm oil in presence and absence of organic solvent for production of biodiesel

Enzymatic production of methyl esters (biodiesel) by methanolysis of palm oil in presence and absence of organic solvent was investigated using Candida antarctica lipase immobilized on acrylic resin as a biocatalyst. Although, at least molar equivalent of methanol (methanol-palm oil ratio 3:1) is required for the complete conversion of palm oil to methyl esters, lipase catalyzed methanolysis of palm oil in absence of organic solvent was poisoned by adding more than 1/3 molar equivalent of methanol. The use of polar organic solvents prevented the lipase to be poisoned in methanolysis with a molar equivalent of methanol, and tetrahydrofuran (THF) was found to be the most effective. The presence of water in methanolysis of palm oil both in presence and absence of THF inhibited the reaction rate but this inhibition was considerably low in THF containing system. The palm oil-lipase (w/w) ratio significantly influenced the activity of lipase and the optimal ratio in presence and absence of THF was 100 and 50, respectively.     

Lipase catalyzed methanolysis to produce biodiesel: Optimization of the biodiesel production

A lipase from Candida sp., suitable for transesterification of fats and oils to produce fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), was immobilized on a cheap cotton membrane, in this paper. The conversion ratio of salad oil to biodiesel could reach up to 96% with the optimal reaction conditions. Continuous reaction in a fixed bed reactor was also investigated. A three-step transesterification with methanol (methanolysis) of oil was conducted by using a series of nine columns packed with immobilized Candida sp. 99–125 lipase. As substrate of the first reaction step, plant or waste oil was used together with 1/3 molar equivalent of methanol against total fatty acids in the oil. Mixtures of the first- and second-step eluates and 1/3 molar equivalent of methanol were used for the second- and third-reaction steps. A hydrocyclone was used in order to on-line separate the by-product glycerol after every 1/3 molar equivalent of methanol was added. Petroleum ether was used as solvent (3/2, v/v of oil) and the pump was operated with a flow rate of 15 L/h giving an annual throughput of 100 t. The final conversion ratio of the FAME from plant oil and waste oil under the optimal condition was 90% and 92%, respectively. The life of the immobilized lipase was more than 10 days. This new technique has many strongpoints such as low pollution, environmentally friendly, and low energy costs.     

Enzymatic synthesis of biodiesel from palm oil assisted by microwave irradiation

Optimal conditions for enzymatic synthesis of biodiesel from palm oil and ethanol were determined with lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens immobilized on epoxy polysiloxane–polyvinyl alcohol hybrid composite under a microwave heating system. The main goal was to reduce the reaction time preliminarily established by a process of conventional heating. A full factorial design assessed the influence of ethanol-to-palm oil (8:1–16:1) molar ratio and temperature (43–57 °C) on the transesterification yield. Microwave irradiations varying from 8 to 15 W were set up according to reaction temperature. Under optimal conditions (8:1 ethanol-to-oil molar ratio at 43 °C), 97.56 % of the fatty acids present in the palm oil were converted into ethyl esters in a 12-h reaction, corresponding to a productivity of 64.2 mg ethyl esters g^?1 h^?1. This represents a sixfold increase from the process carried out under conventional heating, thus proving to be a potential tool for enhancing biochemical modification of oils and fats. In general, advantages of the new process include: (1) microwaves speed up the enzyme-catalyzed reactions; (2) there are no destructive effects on the enzyme properties, such as stability and substrate specificity, and (3) the microwave assistance allows the entire reaction volume to be heated uniformly. These bring benefits of a low energy demand and a faster conversion of palm oil into biodiesel.     

Conversion of Soybean Oil to Biodiesel Fuel Using Lipozyme TL IM in a Solvent-free Medium

The conversion of soybean oil to biodiesel fuel was investigated in the presence of a lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (commercially called Lipozyme TL IM) in a solvent-free medium. The lipase was inactivated when more than 1.5 molar equivalent of methanol was added to the oil mixture. To fully convert the oil to its corresponding methyl esters, the reaction was performed successfully by a three-step addition of 1 molar equivalent of methanol and under the optimized conditions (40°C, 150 rpm, 10% enzyme quantity based on oil weight), the maximum methyl ester (ME) yield was 98% after 12 h reaction. By-product glycerol had a negative effect on enzymatic activity and iso-propanol was found to be effective for glycerol removal, in the presence of which lipase expressed relatively high activity and more than 94% of the ME yield was maintained after being used repeatedly for 15 batches.     

Immobilized CALB Catalyzed Transesterification of Soybean Oil and Phytosterol

Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) was immobilized on Fe₃O₄/SiO_x-g-P(GMA) polymer carrier to catalyzed the transesterification of soybean oil and phytosterol. The enzyme loading of the obtained particles was 98.7 mg/g supports and the enzyme activity was 1226.5 U/g. The average particle size was 100.5?±?1.30 nm and the magnetization was 15.80 emu/g. The immobilized enzyme showed higher activities at a wider range of pH and temperatures. Its optimum reaction temperature was up to 50 °C; increased by 5 °C compared to the free enzyme. The obtained magnetic immobilized Fe₃O₄/SiO_x-g-P(GMA) lipase was nanoscale. First-grade soybean oils were used as a substrate. System pH was adjusted to 7.0. The optimal reaction temperature was 50 °C and the reaction time was 3 h. The phytosterol concentration of 5% and immobilized CALB of 2% were obtained. The conversion rate of transesterification reaction between soybean oil and phytosterol was 86.2%. The use of magnets can quickly separate the immobilized enzymes from the substrates. The relative activity of the immobilized enzymes was 83.0% when reused seven times. The prepared immobilized CALB can improve efficiently enzyme activity and reutilization.     

Lipase-mediated hydrolysis of blackcurrant oil

Four commercially available lipases, both free and immobilized, were tested for their ability to catalyze hydrolysis of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) oil using two different approaches. The lipase from Mucor miehei was studied free and immobilized in two different ways. The former series of enzymic reactions were performed in tap water at 40 degrees C, but the latter series of enzymic processes were carried out in mixtures of isooctane and phosphate buffer (in a typical 2/1 ratio of the components) at 30 degrees C. These conditions were optimized to increase and/or to maximize the yields of the products, which were priority targets in this study. A rate of hydrolysis and a selective preference of the hydrolytic enzymes towards fatty acids, with a special focus on enrichment of alpha-linolenic acid and/or gamma-linolenic acid, were studied. Higher rates of hydrolysis of the blackcurrant oil in the former series of reactions were observed with the immobilized lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia used as biocatalyst. In the latter approach, the most favorable results of the rate of hydrolysis of the target blackcurrant oil were achieved with the immobilized lipase from Mucor miehei employed as biocatalyst. Only three lipases, selected from a series of lipases tested during this investigation, displayed specificity towards alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid, i.e. the immobilized lipase from P. cepacia, lipase from M. miehei and lipase from P. fluorescens.     

Selection of lipase producing yeasts for methanol-tolerant biocatalyst as whole cell application for palm-oil transesterification

Methanol-tolerant lipase producing yeast was successfully isolated and selected thorough ecological screening using palm oil-rhodamine B agar as one step-approach. All 49 lipase-producing yeasts exhibited the ability to catalyze esterification reaction of oleic acid and methanol at 3 molar equivalents. However, only 16 isolates catalyzed transesterification reaction of refined palm oil and methanol. Rhodotorula mucilagenosa P11I89 isolated from oil contaminated soil showed the strongest hydrolytic lipase activity of 1.2U/ml against palm oil. The production of oleic methyl ester and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) of 64.123 and 51.260% was obtained from esterification and transesterification reaction catalyzed by whole cell of R. mucilagenosa P11I89 in the presence of methanol at 3 molar equivalents against the substrates, respectively. FAME content increased dramatically to 83.29% when 6 molar equivalents of methanol were added. Application of the methanol-tolerant-lipase producing yeast as a whole cell biocatalyst was effectively resolved major technical obstacles in term of enzyme stability and high cost of lipase, leading to the feasibility of green biodiesel industrialization.     

Evaluation of biodiesel production using lipase immobilized on magnetic silica nanocomposite particles of various structures

Nonporous and mesoporous silica-coated magnetite cluster nanocomposites particles were fabricated with various silica structures in order to develop a desired carrier for the lipase immobilization and subsequent biodiesel production. Lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia was covalently bound to the amino-functionalized particles using glutaraldehyde as a coupling agent. The hybrid systems that were obtained exhibited high stability and easy recovery regardless of the silica structure, following the application of an external magnetic field. The immobilized lipases were then used as the recoverable biocatalyst in a transesterification reaction to convert the soybean oil to biodiesel with methanol. Enzyme immobilization led to higher stabilities and conversion values as compared to what was obtained by the free enzyme. Furthermore, the silica structure had a significant effect on stability and catalytic performance of immobilized enzymes. In examining the reusability of the biocatalysts, the immobilized lipases still retained approximately 55% of their initial conversion capability following 5 times of reuse.