Biodiesel production from crude Jatropha oil catalyzed by non-commercial immobilized heterologous Rhizopus oryzae and Carica papaya lipases

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of biodiesel production by transesterification of Jatropha oil with methanol, catalyzed by non-commercial sn-1,3-regioselective lipases. Using these lipases, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and monoacylglycerols are produced, avoiding the formation of glycerol as byproduct. Heterologous Rhizopus oryzae lipase (rROL) immobilized on different synthetic resins and Carica papaya lipase (rCPL) immobilized on Lewatit VP OC 1600 were tested. Reactions were performed at 30 degrees C, with seven stepwise methanol additions. For all biocatalysts, 51-65% FAME (theoretical maximum = 67%, w/w) was obtained after 4 h transesterification. Stability tests were performed in 8 or 10 successive 4 h-batches, either with or without rehydration of the biocatalyst between each two consecutive batches. Activity loss was much faster when biocatalysts were rehydrated. For rROL, half-life times varied from 16 to 579 h. rROL on Lewatit VPOC 1600 was more stable than for rCPL on the same support. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.