Candida rugosa Lipase Immobilized onto Acid-Functionalized Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes for Sustainable Production of Methyl Oleate.
The chemical production of methyl oleate using chemically synthesized fatty acid alcohols and other toxic chemicals may lead to significant environmental hazards to mankind. Being a highly valuable fatty acid replacement raw material in oleochemical industry, the mass production of methyl oleate via environmentally favorable processes is of concern. In this context, an alternative technique utilizing Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) physically adsorbed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been suggested. In this study, the acid-functionalized MWCNTs prepared using a mixture of HNO3 and H2SO4 (1:3 v/v) was used as support for immobilizing CRL onto MWCNTs (CRL-MWCNTs) as biocatalysts. Enzymatic esterification was performed and the efficiency of CRL-MWCNTs was evaluated against the free CRL under varying conditions, viz. temperature, molar ratio of acid/alcohol, solvent log P, and enzyme loading. The CRL-MWCNTs resulted in 30-110 % improvement in the production of methyl oleate over the free CRL. The CRL-MWCNTs attained its highest yield (84.17 %) at 50 °C, molar ratio of acid/alcohol of 1:3, 3 mg/mL of enzyme loading, and iso-octane (log P 4.5) as solvent. Consequently, physical adsorption of CRL onto acid-functionalized MWCNTs has improved the activity and stability of CRL and hence provides an environmentally friendly means for the production of methyl oleate.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Nur Haziqah
NH
Che Marzuki
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Naji Arafat
NA
Mahat
Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Fahrul
F
Huyop
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Nor Aziah
NA
Buang
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. roswanira@kimia.fs.utm.my.
Roswanira Abdul
RA
Wahab
D055162:Biocatalysis; D002175:Candida / Q000201:enzymology*; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D055772:Green Chemistry Technology; D007700:Kinetics; D008049:Lipase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D017942:Nitric Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D009829:Oleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D009829:Oleic Acids; D012997:Solvents; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; C005576:methyl oleate; D017942:Nitric Acid; D008049:Lipase; C033158:sulfuric acid
Candida rugosa lipase; Esterification; Immobilization; Methyl oleate; Multi-walled carbon nanotubes