Production and Characterization of Isopropyl Laurate Using Immobilized Lipase

Authors: GÜLTEN ŞEKEROĞLU, SİBEL FADILOĞLU, ESRA İBANOĞLU

Abstract: Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase (Novozym 435) was used for the synthesis of isopropyl laurate from isopropyl alcohol and lauric acid. A molecular sieve was used to shift the reaction towards the synthesis. The maximum enzyme activity was obtained at 60 °C. The amount of product seemed to be linearly proportional to the enzyme concentration up to 50 mg. A linear increase in the amount of isopropyl laurate was observed throughout the 50 min reaction. Product formation followed a linear increase up to a lauric acid concentration of 100 mg. Then product formation slowed down. The hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) value of isopropyl laurate was calculated as 3.5 and its critical micelle concentration (CMC) value was found to be 0.684 mM and 0.687 mM from the conductivity and surface tension curve, respectively.

Keywords: Candida antarctica lipase, Enzymatic esterification, Isopropyl laurate, Surfactant

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