Different enzyme requirements for the synthesis of biodiesel: Novozym 435 and Lipozyme TL IM

Enzymatic syntheses of biodiesel via alcoholysis of different vegetable oils (sunflower, borage, olive and soybean) have been studied. Loss of lipase activity induced by the nucleophile is greater with methanol than with ethanol, and is greater for Lipozyme TL IM than for Novozym 435. The optimum volume of ethanol depends on the loading of solid biocatalyst and is higher for preparations of Novozym 435 than for Lipozyme TL IM. Maximum rates were obtained with Lipozyme TL IM, for a molar ratio of alcohol to FA residues of 0.33. By contrast, Novozym 435 requires at least a 2:1 ratio. Alcoholysis of the vegetable oils is faster with Lipozyme TL IM than with Novozym 435. Use of a high loading of Novozym 435 (50% w/w) and a large molar excess of ethanol are required to obtain an initial rate similar to that obtained with Lipozyme TL IM at a lower enzyme loading (10% w/w) and an equimolar ratio of ethanol and FA residues. Novozym 435 produces quantitative conversions in only 7h at 25 degrees C, but complete conversions are not obtained with Lipozyme TL IM. Three stage stepwise addition of ethanol yields 84% conversion to ethyl esters for Lipozyme TL IM. Hence use of Novozym 435 is preferred. After nine cycles in a batch reactor Novozym 435 retained 85% of its initial activity.