Enzyme-catalyzed transesterification of triolein and methanol to produce methyl oleate (biodiesel) was studied using a free-form lipase from porcine pancreas. This study aims to produce biodiesel under mild conditions, making it environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Therefore, several factors, including the organic solvents, molar ratios of triolein to methanol, and pH, were investigated to find the optimal conditions favorable for producing methyl oleate (biodiesel) from triolein (a triglyceride) and methanol (a short-chain alcohol) in acetone in the reaction medium. In the course of experimentation, the addition of water and the utilization of surfactant decreased the reaction rate instead of enhancing the reaction system. Hence, this study suggested that the utilization of the existing minimum amount of water present in acetone is necessary for biodiesel production. The findings of this study suggested that acetone is a suitable main reaction medium for the enzyme-catalyzed transesterification reaction and can increase production from triolein to methyl oleate with a single addition of methanol. The biodiesel achieved was 47 mM in the form of methyl oleate obtained with 10 mg/mL lipase, 100 mM triolein, and 300 mM methanol in acetone at a neutral pH environment. The removal of surfactant and water is economically advantageous in terms of the cost of production. Thus, free lipase from the porcine pancreas is promising for biodiesel production in acetone using triolein and methanol.
Mohe et al. (Fri,) studied this question.