Lipase-catalysed synthesis of ester oils from biodiesel by-products

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Marco Schlepütz - , RWTH Aachen University (First author)
  • Andreas Buthe - , RWTH Aachen University (Author)
  • Ruldof Brenneis - (Author)
  • Marion Bettina Ansorge-Schumacher - , Technical University of Berlin (Author)

Abstract

Ester oils obtained from natural long-chain fatty acids and alcohols are versatile substitutes for many petroleum-based products. Their efficient synthesis with the solvent-free esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) from by-products of biodiesel fabrication and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol with immobilised lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosa was investigated. The immobilisation of the biocatalyst in static emulsion yielded a specific esterification activity that was higher by a factor of 4.9 9.4 than the activity of the native enzyme. Favourable properties of the silicone-based immobilisation matrix in terms of stability and immobilisation yield were observed. In biodiesel by-products, the immobilised lipase catalysed the esterification of FFA as well as the transesterification of residual fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) to the desired ester oils. A conversion of 90% FFA and 35% FAME gave a total yield of 60%. The inactivation coefficients during repeated use in a stirred-tank reactor with intermittent pressure reduction were exceptionally low.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)220-227
Journal Biocatalysis and biotransformation
Volume2008
Issue number26
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

Scopus 42049114289
ORCID /0000-0002-2912-546X/work/171551984

Keywords

Keywords

  • Biokatalyse, Biodiesel, Esteröle, Lipase, Statische Emulsion, BASE