Transesterification of vegetable oils by immobilized lipase from Fusarium sp. produced by submerged and solid state fermentation

Abstract

Biodiesel (methyl esters of fatty acids), produced by transesterification of triglycerides in the presence of alcohol, it becomes increasingly important due to declining oil reserves and the environmental consequences of burning fossil fuels. The process of transesterification occurs under mild conditions (ambient temperature and neutral pH), avoiding the problems that accompany chemical catalysis, such as high energy requirement, difficult recovery of glycerol and the need for waste treatment. A large number of articles shows that lipases, enzymes capable of performing the transesterification reaction in aquo-restricted environments, may be of interest as catalysts in the synthesis of biodiesel. This work aims to study the transesterification of vegetable oil and a short chain alcohol by lipase from Fusarium sp. To do so, will study the conditions for enzyme production in submerged fermentation (SF) on orbital shakers and a 7.5 L fermentor, and solid state fermentation (SSF), using different agro-industrial residues. The enzyme obtained by FS will be used for studies of immobilization on different supports (PEO, calcium alginate, celite or octyl-sepharose). Finally, the transesterification reaction will be studied with the immobilized enzyme, lyophilized or directly with the solid fermentation. Will also be evaluated various parameters on transesterification (alcohol, enzyme concentration, water content, presence of co-solvent, oil supply, temperature). The product of transesterification of the best condition will be characterized in accordance with Resolution ANP n º 7 / 2008 for biodiesel. (AU)