Obtaining of biodiesel from a mixture of corn and cotton oils, using homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts.

A maior parte da energia consumida no mundo provém do petróleo, do carvão e do gás natural. O esgotamento das fontes de energia, especialmente energia fóssil, sobretudo sua impossibilidade de renovação, tem motivado o desenvolvimento de tecnologias que permitam utilizar fontes renováveis de energia. O biodiesel é biodegradável, renovável e obedece ao ciclo de carbono, sendo definido como mono-alquil éster de ácidos graxos derivado de fontes renováveis, como óleos vegetais e gorduras animais, o mesmo pode ser obtido através de um processo de transesterifícação, no qual ocorre a transformação de triacilglicerídeos em moléculas menores de ésteres de ácidos graxos e apresenta características físico-químicas semelhantes às do diesel fóssil. Este trabalho apresenta a obtenção de biodiesel a partir da mistura dos óleos de milho e algodão obtido por transesterifícação sob uso do catalisador homogéneo (KOH) e heterogéneo (MCM-41 e 1% Mo/MCM-41). A mistura dos óleos vegetais e o biodiesel etílico foram caracterizados em função das propriedades físicoquímicas, reologia, cromatografia gasosa (CG), espectroscopia de infravermelho (IV) e termogravimetria (TG). Mediante os resultados obtidos pode-se observar que a rota homogênea promoveu uma conversão em ésteres etílicos de 81,23%, já a rota heterogênea não se obteve resultados satisfatórios o que foi observado pelo elevado teor de triacilglicerídeos. As análises no infravermelho e por cromatografia gasosa permitiram a análise química do processo. Nas análises termogravimétricas, observou-se que o biodiesel apresentou uma temperatura de decomposição inicial menor que a do óleo, demonstrando ser mais volátil e aproximando-se do diesel.Most of the world energy consumption derives from oil, coal and natural gas. The shortage of the energy sources, especially the energy from fóssil fuels, and moreover the impossibility of its renewal has motivated the development of technologies that allow the usage of renewable energy sources. Biodiesel is biodegradable, renewable and it obeys the cycle of carbon, it is defined as a blend of mono-alkyl esters of fatty acids derived from renewable sources, as vegetable oils and animal fats. It can be obtained by means of a transesterification process, in which the transformation of triacylglycerides into smaller molecules of fatty acid esters takes place, and it displays physical and chemical characteristics similar to the ones of a fóssil fuelderived diesel oil. This paper presents the production of biodiesel from a mixture of corn and cotton oils transesterified with homogeneous (KOH) and heterogeneous (MCM-41 and 1% Mo/MCM-41) catalysts. The mixture of vegetable oils and the ethanol biodiesel were characterized in terms of physical and chemical properties, rheology, gas chromatography (GC), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and thermal analysis (TG). The results showed that the homogeneous route promoted a 81,23% conversion into ethyl esters conversely, the heterogeneous route did not show satisfactory results, as a the high levei of triacylglycerides was observed. The infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography analyses were used for the chemical analysis of the products. In thermogravimetric analyses, it was observed that the Biodiesel samples presented a lower initial decomposition temperature than that of the vegetable oil, suggesting that these samples are more volatile than the oil and closer to diesel

Enzymatic synthesis of esters catalyzed by immobilized lipase on different supports

Lipases are enzymes of great biotechnological relevance. Besides its natural function (hydrolysis of triglycerides), they are capable of catalyzing regio- and enantioselective hydrolysis and synthesis of numerous esters. Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (LPF) was immobilized on different supports and with different methods and was applied on the synthesis of compounds of industrial interest. The efficiency of these syntheses with the biocatalyst PFL-octyl-silica, PFL-XAD 7 HP and PFL-polystyrene were used on the production of ethylic biodiesel from babassu oil. The best yield (100% within 24 h) was obtained with PFL immobilized on octyl-silica (PFL-octyl-silica). This derivative and commercial immobilized lipases (Candida antarctica lipase, CALB IM; Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase, LTL IM) were used on the production of ethylic biodiesel from soybean oil, showing similar yields within 48 h of reaction time (80%). On the synthesis of aromas, the biocatalysts PFL-octyl-silica, CALB IM, LTL IM and LPF IM (commercial immobilized Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase) presented similar performance (yield above 90% within 24 h of reaction time). Yields of about 95% were obtained within 12 h of reaction time with the biocatalysts PFL-octyl-silica and CALB IM, being able to be reused in eight successive batches. CALB IM produced fructose oleate (55 ºC, 24 h, oleic acid:fructose molar ratio 1:2) with 96% yield, whereas the derivative PFL-octyl.-silica yielded 57% (45 ºC, 72 h, molar ratio 1:1). PFL immobilized on octyl-agarose and octadecyl-Sepabeads presented an immobilization yield of 99%, rendering hyperactivated derivatives (150% and 300% of recovered activity, respectively). The monomeric form of the enzyme could be immobilized on glyoxyl-agarose at 25 ºC, pH 10.5 (100 mM sodium bicarbonate buffer), however, in the presence of a surfactant (Triton X-100 0,5% v/v). On the hydrolysis of (R,S)-ethyl-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyrate, PFL immobilized on octylagarose (open conformation) and on glyoxyl-agarose (in the form of bimolecular aggregates) showed a higher enantioselectivity (E > 100) than PFL immobilized on monomeric form on glyoxyl-agarose (E = 27.9). PFL immobilized on octadecyl-Sepabeads and glyoxyl-Sepabeads produced benzyl oleate with 85% yield via olive oil and benzyl alcohol transesterification in cyclohexane. These results show that the activity, stability and enantioselectivity are catalytic properties of lipases which could be modulated via immobilization on activated supports which allows the enzyme orientation on the support by different region of its surface and with different structural conformation. In general, the biocatalyst prepared on this work (PFL-octyl-silica) presented a great performance on esterification and transesterification reactions, as well as good operational stability, rendering it competitive to the commercial immobilized biocatalysts.Universidade Federal de Sao CarlosLipases são enzimas de grande relevância biotecnológica. Além de sua função natural (hidrólise de triglicerídeos) são capazes de catalisarem hidrólises regio e enantiosseletivas e sínteses de inúmeros ésteres. Lipase de Pseudomonas fluorescens (LPF) foi imobilizada em diferentes suportes e por diferentes métodos e aplicadas na síntese de compostos de interesse industrial. A eficiência dessas sínteses com o biocatalisador LPF-octil-sílica foi comparada com lipases imobilizadas comerciais. Os derivados de LPF-octil-sílica, LPFXAD 7HP e LPF-poliestireno foram utilizados na produção de biodiesel etílico de óleo de babaçu. O melhor rendimento (100% em 24 h) foi obtido com LPF imobilizada em octilsílica (LPF-octil-sílica). Este derivado e lipases imobilizadas comerciais (lipase de Candida antarctica, CALB IM; lipase de Thermomyces lanuginosus, LTL IM) foram utilizadas na produção de biodiesel etílico de óleo de soja apresentando rendimentos similares em 48 h de reação (80%). Na síntese de aromas, os biocatalisadores LPF-octilsílica, CALB IM, LTL IM e LPF IM (lipase de P. fluorescens imobilizada comercial) apresentaram similar desempenho (conversão acima de 90% com 24 h de reação). Conversões de aproximadamente 95% foram obtidas em 12 h de reação com os biocatalisadores LPF-octil-sílica e CALB IM, podendo ser reutilizados em oito bateladas sucessivas. CALB IM produziu oleato de frutose (55ºC, 24 h, razão molar ácido oleico:frutose de 1:2) com 96% de conversão, enquanto o derivado LPF-octil-sílica rendeu 57% de conversão (45ºC, 72 h, razão molar de 1:1). LPF imobilizada em octil-agarose e octadecil-Sepabeads apresentou um rendimento de imobilização de 99%, rendendo derivados hiperativados (150 e 300% de atividade recuperada, respectivamente). LPF em solução forma agregados bimoleculares, os quais puderam ser imobilizados em suportes glioxil (agarose e Sepabeads), rendendo derivados com 70 a 75% de atividade recuperada. A forma monomérica da enzima pôde ser imobilizada em glioxil-agarose a 25ºC, pH 10,5 (tampão bicarbonato de sódio 100 mM), entretanto, na presença de um surfactante (Triton X-100, 0,5%, v/v). Na hidrólise de (R,S)-2-hidróxi-4-fenilbutirato de etila, LPF imobilizada em octil-agarose (conformação aberta) e em glioxil-agarose (na forma de agregados bimoleculares) mostraram-se mais enantiosseletivas (E > 100) do que LPF imobilizada na forma monomérica em glioxil-agarose (E = 27,9). LPF imobilizada em octadecil-Sepabeads e glioxil-Sepabeads produziram oleato de benzila com 85% de conversão, por transesterificação de azeite de oliva e álcool benzílico em ciclohexano. Esses resultados mostram que atividade, estabilidade e enantiosseletividade são propriedades catalíticas das lipases que podem ser moduladas por imobilização em suportes ativados que permitam a orientação da enzima ao suporte por diferentes regiões de sua superfície e com diferente conformação estrutural. De modo geral, o biocatalisador preparado neste trabalho (LPF-octil-sílica) apresentou ótimo desempenho em reações de esterificação e transesterificação, bem como boa estabilidade operacional, tornando-o competitivo com os biocatalisadores imobilizados comerciais

Performance of Different Immobilized Lipases in the Syntheses of Short- and Long-Chain Carboxylic Acid Esters by Esterification Reactions in Organic Media

Short-chain alkyl esters and sugar esters are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to their flavor and emulsifying characteristics, respectively. Both compounds can be synthesized via biocatalysis using lipases. This work aims to compare the performance of commercial lipases covalently attached to dry acrylic beads functionalized with oxirane groups (lipases from Candida antarctica type B—IMMCALB-T2-350, Pseudomonas fluorescens—IMMAPF-T2-150, and Thermomyces lanuginosus—IMMTLL-T2-150) and a home-made biocatalyst (lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens adsorbed onto silica coated with octyl groups, named PFL-octyl-silica) in the syntheses of short- and long-chain carboxylic acid esters. Esters with flavor properties were synthetized by esterification of acetic and butyl acids with several alcohols (e.g., ethanol, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, and isoamyl alcohol), and sugar esters were synthetized by esterification of oleic and lauric acids with fructose and lactose. All biocatalysts showed similar performance in the syntheses of short-chain alkyl esters, with conversions ranging from 88.9 to 98.4%. However, in the syntheses of sugar esters the performance of PFL-octyl-silica was almost always lower than the commercial IMMCALB-T2-350, whose conversion was up to 96% in the synthesis of fructose oleate. Both biocatalysts showed high operational stability in organic media, thus having great potential for biotransformations

Immobilization and stabilization of a bimolecular aggregate of the lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens by multipoint covalent attachment

The soluble lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PFL) forms bimolecular aggregates in which the hydrophobic active centers of the enzyme monomers are in close contact. This bimolecular aggregate could be immobilized by multipoint covalent linkages on glyoxyl supports at pH 8.5. The monomer of PFL obtained by incubation of the soluble enzyme in the presence of detergent (0.5% TRITON X-100) could not be immobilized under these conditions. The bimolecular aggregate has two amino terminal residues in the same plane. A further incubation of the immobilized derivative under more alkaline conditions (e.g., pH 10.5) allows a further multipoint attachment of lysine (Lys) residues located in the same plane as the amino terminal residues. Monomeric PFL was immobilized at pH 10.5 in the presence of 0.5% TRITON X-100. The properties of both PFL derivatives were compared. In general, the bimolecular derivatives were more active, more selective and more stable both in water and in organic solvents than the monomolecular ones. The bimolecular derivative showed twice the activity and a much higher selectivity (100 versus 20) for the hydrolysis of R,S-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid ethyl ester (HPBEt) in aqueous media at pH 5.0 compared to the monomeric derivative. In experiments measuring thermal inactivation at 75 °C, the bimolecular derivative was 5-fold more stable than the monomeric derivative (and 50-fold more stable than a one-point covalently immobilized PFL derivative), and it had a half-life greater than 4 h. In organic solvents (cyclohexane and tert-amyl alcohol), the bimolecular derivative was much more stable and more active than the monomeric derivative in catalyzing the transesterification of olive oil with benzyl alcohol. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Immobilization and stabilization of a bimolecular aggregate of the lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens by multipoint covalent attachment

The soluble lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PFL) forms bimolecular aggregates in which the hydrophobic active centers of the enzyme monomers are in close contact. This bimolecular aggregate could be immobilized by multipoint covalent linkages on glyoxyl supports at pH 8.5. The monomer of PFL obtained by incubation of the soluble enzyme in the presence of detergent (0.5% TRITON X-100) could not be immobilized under these conditions. The bimolecular aggregate has two amino terminal residues in the same plane. A further incubation of the immobilized derivative under more alkaline conditions (e.g., pH 10.5) allows a further multipoint attachment of lysine (Lys) residues located in the same plane as the amino terminal residues. Monomeric PFL was immobilized at pH 10.5 in the presence of 0.5% TRITON X-100. The properties of both PFL derivatives were compared. In general, the bimolecular derivatives were more active, more selective and more stable both in water and in organic solvents than the monomolecular ones. The bimolecular derivative showed twice the activity and a much higher selectivity (100 versus 20) for the hydrolysis of R,S-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid ethyl ester (HPBEt) in aqueous media at pH 5.0 compared to the monomeric derivative. In experiments measuring thermal inactivation at 75 °C, the bimolecular derivative was 5-fold more stable than the monomeric derivative (and 50-fold more stable than a one-point covalently immobilized PFL derivative), and it had a half-life greater than 4 h. In organic solvents (cyclohexane and tert-amyl alcohol), the bimolecular derivative was much more stable and more active than the monomeric derivative in catalyzing the transesterification of olive oil with benzyl alcohol. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This work was sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation(project AGL-2009-07526), Consolider INGENIO 2010 CSD2007-00063 FUN-C-FOOD (CICYT) and ALIBIRD S2009/AGR-1469. We gratefully recognize the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the “Ramón y Cajal” contract for Dr. Fernandez-Lorente. We also thank the Brazilian agencies CAPES and CNPq for the scholarship of Lionete N. Lima.Peer Reviewe