Lipase supported on granular activated carbon and activated carbon cloth as a catalyst in the synthesis of biodiesel fuel

Fatty acid esters (biodiesel) were produced from the enzymatic transesterification of palm oil with methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 1-butanol. Isopropanol and isobutanol were also studied. Candida antarctica B lipase was immobilized on granular activated carbon (ACG-E) and activated carbon cloth (ACC-E) and used as a catalyst (biocatalyst). In the conversion of palm oil to alkyl esters using granular activated carbon as a support, isobutanol gave the highest conversion of 100%, isopropanol 86%, 1-butanol 77%, 1-propanol 68% and ethanol 57%, while only 48% methyl ester was observed with methanol. With activated carbon cloth used to support the enzyme, isobutanol gave the highest conversion of 82%, isobutanol 72%, isopropanol 59%, 1-butanol 45% and propanol 40%, while only 28% methyl ester was observed with methanol. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.