Issue 1, 2018

Lipase immobilised on silica monoliths as continuous-flow microreactors for triglyceride transesterification

Abstract

Lipase immobilised on silica monoliths has been prepared and applied as biocatalytic continuous-flow microreactors for the transesterification of tributyrin as a model bio-oil component. Candida antarctica lipase was trapped within the pores of silica monoliths, and its successful immobilisation was demonstrated by the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl butyrate to 4-nitrophenol. Lipase immobilised on silica monoliths was active for the transesterification of tributyrin at ambient temperature, with reactivity as a function of the methanol : tributyrin ratio, flow rate, temperature, and textural properties. Monoliths with a high surface area and large meso- and macropore channels enhanced the transesterification activity through improved molecule diffusion. The optimum immobilised lipase microreactor exhibited almost quantitative ester production for >100 h at 30 °C without deactivation.

Graphical abstract: Lipase immobilised on silica monoliths as continuous-flow microreactors for triglyceride transesterification

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Oct 2017
Accepted
18 Dec 2017
First published
18 Dec 2017

React. Chem. Eng., 2018,3, 68-74

Lipase immobilised on silica monoliths as continuous-flow microreactors for triglyceride transesterification

M. Alotaibi, J. C. Manayil, G. M. Greenway, S. J. Haswell, S. M. Kelly, A. F. Lee, K. Wilson and G. Kyriakou, React. Chem. Eng., 2018, 3, 68 DOI: 10.1039/C7RE00162B

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