Biolubricant Production from Stearic Acid and Residual Secondary Alcohols: System and Reaction Design for Lipase-Catalyzed Batch and Continuous Processes

Six lipases were immobilized on a styrene-divinylbenzene support and evaluated on the batch esterification reaction of stearic acid with fusel oil. After a screening design, the two most appropriate lipases were assayed on a packed-bed system, achieving high conversion rates (90-93%) and productivities of isoamyl stearate up to 3144 mmol g(-1) min(-1), which can be used as a substitute to fossil-derived lubricants. Graphic

Automated summary

Six lipases were immobilized on a styrene-divinylbenzene support and evaluated for batch esterification of stearic acid with fusel oil. After screening, the two most suitable lipases achieved high conversion rates and productivities, showing potential as substitutes for fossil-derived lubricants.