title: Ionic liquids as a reaction medium for lipase-catalyzed methanolysis of sunflower oil.
abstract: Ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIm][PF(6)]) and 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([EMIm][PF(6)]), were used for the methanolysis of sunflower oil using Candida antarctica lipase (Novozyme 435) and gave yields of fatty acid methyl esters at 98-99% within 10 h. The optimum conditions of methanolysis in hydrophobic ionic liquids are 2% (w/w) lipase, 1:1 (w/w) oil/ionic liquid and 1:8 (mol/mol) oil/methanol at 58-60 degrees C. Methanolysis using hydrophilic ionic liquids, 3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([HMIm][BF(4)]) and 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF(4)]), gave very poor yields. A hydrophobic ionic liquid thus protects the lipase from methanol. Recovered ionic liquids and lipase were used for four successive reaction cycles without any significant loss of activity.
authors.affiliation: Lipid Science and Technology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, 500 007, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sunitha
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanjilal
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: R B N
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D002175:Candida / Q000201:enzymology*; D002384:Catalysis; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008049:Lipase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000432:Methanol / Q000378:metabolism*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000378:metabolism*; D000074242:Sunflower Oil; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D052578:Ionic Liquids; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074242:Sunflower Oil; C093667:Novozyme 435; D008049:Lipase; D000432:Methanol