Enzymatic Synthesis of Biodiesel from Transesterification Reactions of Vegetable Oils and Short Chain Alcohols

• DOI: 10.1007/s11746-008-1284-0
• Publication Date: 2008-08-13T11:39:38Z
• Authors: Rafael Costa Rodr...; Giandra Volpato; Keiko Wada; Marco Antônio Zác...
• Keywords: Sunflower oil; Soybean oil; Hexane

Abstract Biodiesel synthesis by alcoholysis of three vegetable oils (soybean, sunflower and rice bran) catalyzed commercial lipases (Novozym 435, Lipozyme TL‐IM RM‐IM), the optimization enzymes stability over repeated batches is described. The effects molar ratio alcohol to oil reaction temperature with methanol, ethanol, propanol butanol were also studied. All displayed similar kinetics all no significant differences observed. However, each lipase highest activity a different alcohol. Novozym 435 presented higher in methanolysis, at 5:1 methanol:oil ratio; ethanolysis, 7:1 ethanol:oil RM‐IM butanolysis, 9:1 butanol:oil ratio. optimal was range 30–35 °C for lipases. assessment enzyme carried out washing immobilized solvents ( n ‐hexane, water, or propanol) after batch. When approximately 90% remained seven cycles.