Cocoa pod husk: A new source of CLEA-lipase for preparation of low-cost biodiesel: An optimized process

• Biodiesel was produced enzymatically from Jatropha curcas oil and ethanol.
• Low-cost CLEA-lipase from cocoa pod husk (CPH) was applied in this study.
• Biodiesel production using CLEA-lipase from CPH, is the first biodiesel prepared using a non-microbial source of lipase.
• Face centered central composite design (FCCCD) under response surface methodology (RSM) was used to get the optimal conditions of conversion (%) of FFA into biodiesel.

Enzymatic reactions involving lipases as catalyst in transesterification can be an excellent alternative to produce environmental-friendly biodiesel. In this study, lipase extracted from Cocoa Pod Husk (CPH) and immobilized through cross linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) technology catalysed the transesterification of Jatropha curcas oil successfully. Face centered central composite design (FCCCD) under response surface methodology (RSM) was used to get the optimal conditions of 3% (w/w) enzyme loading, 4 h reaction time and 1:6 oil/ethanol ratio to achieve the highest conversion of free fatty acid and glycerides into biodiesel (93%). The reusability of CLEA-lipase was tested and after seven cycles, the conversion percentage reduced to 58%. The results revealed that CLEA lipase from CPH is a potential catalyst for biodiesel production.