Enzymatic production of fatty acid alkyl esters with a lipase preparation from Candida sp 99-125

A lipase preparation developed from Candida sp. 99-125 was used for fatty acid alkyl ester synthesis by both enzymatic esterification of fatty acids, and transesterification of oils and fats. The lipase preparation was chosen based on screening of lipases from commercial sources as well as those produced in the laboratory. The effects of enzyme dosage, solvent types, water absorbent additions, inhibition of short-chain alcohols, alcohol and acid types, molar ratio of substrates, and reusability of the lipase preparation in esterification were studied. Degree of esterification between oleic acid and methanol under optimal conditions reached 92%. Purity of the methyl ester after washing with water and distillation was 98%. Half-life of the lipase preparation was calculated to be approximately 340 h. For transesterification of rapeseed oil with the same lipase preparation, the amount of methanol and mode of methanol addition to the reaction were also conducted. Transesterification of the oil with stepwise methanol addition reached 83% after 36 h reaction time.