One-Pot Lipase Entrapment Within Silica Particles to Prepare a Stable and Reusable Biocatalyst for Transesterification

In order to enhance the reusability, Rhizomucor miehei lipase was entrapped in a single step within silica particles having an oleic acid core (RML@SiO2). Characterization of RML@SiO2 by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared studies supported the lipase immobilization within silica particles. The immobilized enzyme was employed for transesterification of cottonseed oil with methanol and ethanol. Under the optimum reaction conditions of a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 12:1 or ethanol-to-oil molar ratio of 15:1, stirring speed of 250 revolutions/min (flask radius = 3 cm), reaction temperature of 40 A degrees C, and biocatalyst concentration of 5 wt% (with respect to oil), more than 98 % alkyl ester yield was achieved in 16 and 24 h of reaction duration in case of methanolysis and ethanolysis, respectively. The immobilized enzyme did not require any buffer solution or organic solvent for optimum activity; hence, the produced biodiesel and glycerol were free from metal ion or organic molecule contamination. The activation energies for the immobilized enzyme-catalyzed ethanolysis and methanolysis were found to be 34.9 +/- A 1.6 and 19.7 +/- A 1.8 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The immobilized enzyme was recovered from the reaction mixture and reused in 12 successive runs without significant loss of activity. Additionally, RML@SiO2 demonstrated better reusability as well as stability in comparison to the native enzyme as the former did not lose the activity even upon storage at room temperature (25-30 A degrees C) over an 8-month period.