title: Enzymatic synthesis of esters using an immobilized lipase.
abstract: Various esters were synthesized in nearly anhydrous hexane from alcohols and carboxylic acids using a lipase from Candida cylindracea. The enzyme was immobilized on a nylon support and protein loadings as high as 10 mg/g were obtained. The activity of the immobilized enzyme was maximum in a range of temperatures from 25 to 37 degrees C. Ethylpropionate was formed from ethanol and propionic acid at a rate of 0.017 mol/h g immobilized protein. Different esters were formed at comparable rates and equilibrium conversions could generally be approached in less than 10 h in a batch reaction system. The immobilized lipase catalyst was quite stable and retained about one third of the initial activity after repeated experiments during the course of 72 days. A stirred tank continuous flow reactor was used successfully for the continuous production of esters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903-2442, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carta
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gainer
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Benton