Design of new biocatalizers by surface modifications of post-immobilization lipases for application in xylose oleate synthesis

Abstract

Under the concept of biorefinery, the biotechnology industry has been seeking the use of abundant renewable raw materials in order to convert them into high value-added products, in addition to meeting the principles of sustainability and green chemistry. In this context, sugar fatty esters, non-ionic surfactants, of low toxicity and biodegradable, appear like some of these products of economic value, are widely used in different industrial sectors. The synthesis of these compounds is usually performed by the chemical route, which requires a high energy demand and presents low selectivity, making the separation/purification steps of the products expensive. As an alternative to this method, it is proposed the use of an enzymatic route, with the possibility of obtaining a totally renewable product. In this project, it will be used lipases B from Candida antarctica (CALB) as biocatalysts, as well as xylose and oleic acid as substrates, aiming at the production of xylose fatty esters. The lipase will be immobilized on hydrophobic supports and treated with surface modifying agents in order to evaluate the effect of these modifications on the catalytic properties and stability of the new biocatalysts. (AU)