Enzymatic fatty ester synthesis

Fatty ester synthesis with immobilized 1,3‐specific lipase fromMucor miehei is described. 1,2‐Isopropylidene glycerol produced by condensation of glycerol with acetone was esterified with oleic acid in the presence of aMucor miehei lipase (Lipozyme™) to obtain 1,2‐isopropylidene‐3‐oleoyl glycerol. The effects of various process parameters (temperature and pressure) and various ratios (enzyme/substrate) have been investigated to determine optimal conditions for the esterification process. The highest conversion of oleic acid (80% w/w) was obtained at 55°C and 0.057 bar, while the optimal addition of lipase to substrate was determined to be 0.096 g per gram of reaction mixture. The esterification can be modeled successfully as a reverse second‐order reaction. Thermodynamic properties of the reaction system at 55°C and 0.057 bar also were determined. Activation energy was 20.82 kJ/mole, entropy of activation −0,26 kJ/(K mole) and free energy of activation was 103.32 kJ/mole.