KINETICS OF ENZYMATIC-HYDROLYSIS OF OLIVE OIL IN BIPHASIC ORGANIC-AQUEOUS SYSTEMS

A theoretical model for the lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of high-concentration olive oil in biphasic isooctane-aqueous systems has been proposed and confirmed by experiments. The enzymatic reaction of the Michaelis-Menten type that occurred at the interface between organic and aqueous phases was assumed in deriving the rate equations, from which the maximum reaction rate could be obtained by carefully adjusting the volume ratio between the two phases to the optimal value. Equilibrium conversions higher than 98% for 0.1 g/mL olive oil in isooctane were attained for systems with volume ratios up to one. Fractions of lipase and lipase-substrate complex adsorbed at the interface increased and seemed to approach to asymptotic values as the rotation speed of impeller increased. Activity of the lipase showed no apparent change between 26 and 37-degrees-C, but decreased rapidly with temperature above 43-degrees-C. The methodology presented in this work might be used to find kinetic parameters for reactor design and scaleup.