Application of methyl formate in the process of biotechnological interesterification of triglycerides for the production of biodiesel

In order to increase the yield of biodiesel and reduce its cost, it is appropriate to apply a process of interesterification of vegetable oil with carboxylate esters. No glycerol is formed during this process, and the triacylglycerols formed during the process improve the low-temperature properties of biodiesel. The aim of the study was to investigate the interesterification process of rapeseed oil with methyl formate using a biotechnological method. The 15 enzyme preparations were tested and Lipozyme RM IM was found to be more effective. The optimal conditions of enzymatic interesterification were determined. Molar ratio of methyl formate to rapeseed oil, process duration, and amount of catalyst were optimized. The yield of rapeseed oil methyl esters increases with increasing duration and excess of methyl formate. Optimal catalyst concentration in the process of interesterification of rapeseed oil with methyl formate is 15%. A yield of rapeseed oil methyl esters of 67.9% at a process temperature of 20 degrees C was obtained with a molar ratio of methyl formate to oil of 32:1 and a process time of 40 h. As the duration of the process increases, the amount of triformylglycerol in the reaction mixture increases, and 4.86% of the desired reaction product, triformylglycerol, is formed within 40 h.

Automated summary

In order to increase the yield of biodiesel and reduce its cost, it is appropriate to apply a process of interesterification of vegetable oil with carboxylate esters. The study found that using biotechnological methods for interesterification can improve the reaction effectiveness. Under certain conditions, a higher yield of biodiesel can be obtained.