Lipase Immobilization through the Combination of Bioimprinting and Cross-Linked Protein-Coated Microcrystal Technology for Biodiesel Production

A novel immobilized lipase of Burkholderia cepacia lipase (BCL) was prepared for the first time through the combination of bioimprinting and cross-linked protein-coated microcrystal technology (CLPCMC). p-Benzoquinone was used as the cross-linker for preparing the bioimprinted CLPCMC (denoted as IM-CLPCMC). The morphology and the properties of the IM-CLPCMC were investigated. The IM-CLPCMC could retain ca. 84% of initial activity after being incubated in n-hexane/ethanol system at 80 degrees C for 4 h, and retain 98% of initial activity after being stored in n-hexane/ethanol for 120 h. These results indicated that IM-CLPCMC exhibited improved thermal stability and long-term stability in organic solvents. Furthermore, IM-CLPCMC was used as biocatalysts for producing biodiesel from Jatropha curcas L. oil. Under the optimal conditions, the maximum yield of biodiesel obtained via transesterification could reach 95.0%. After seven cycles, more than 54.7% of biodiesel yield can be retained. Such results demonstrated that IM-CLPCMC is a promising catalyst for biotechnological applications.