title: Green synthesis of isopropyl myristate in novel single phase medium Part I: Batch optimization studies.
abstract: Isopropyl myristate finds many applications in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries as an emollient, thickening agent, or lubricant. Using a homogeneous reaction phase, non-specific lipase derived fromCandida antartica,marketed as Novozym 435, was determined to be most suitable for the enzymatic synthesis of isopropyl myristate. The high molar ratio of alcohol to acid creates novel single phase medium which overcomes mass transfer effects and facilitates downstream processing. The effect of various reaction parameters was optimized to obtain a high yield of isopropyl myristate. Effect of temperature, agitation speed, organic solvent, biocatalyst loading and batch operational stability of the enzyme was systematically studied. The conversion of 87.65% was obtained when the molar ratio of isopropyl alcohol to myristic acid (15:1) was used with 4% (w/w) catalyst loading and agitation speed of 150 rpm at 60 °C. The enzyme has also shown good batch operational stability under optimized conditions.
authors.affiliation: DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parikh Marg, Matunga (E), Mumbai 400 019, India.
authors.forename: Rajeshkumar N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Vadgama
authors.affiliation: DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parikh Marg, Matunga (E), Mumbai 400 019, India.
authors.forename: Annamma A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Odaneth
authors.affiliation: DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parikh Marg, Matunga (E), Mumbai 400 019, India.
authors.forename: Arvind M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lali
keywords: Esterification; Isopropyl alcohol; Isopropyl myristate; Myristic acid; Novozym 435