Synthesis of jatropha oil based wax esters using an immobilized lipase from Burkholderia sp. EQ3 and Lipozyme RM IM

• Jatropha oil based wax esters were highly synthesized by immobilized lipase EQ3.
• Immobilized lipase EQ3 was able to synthesize wax esters as well as Lipozyme RM IM.
• Immobilized lipase EQ3 could be reused 5 times with 88% conversion of wax esters.

A comparison of the synthesis of wax esters by transesterification of jatropha oil and oleyl alcohol using the immobilized lipase EQ3 (Burkholderia sp. EQ3) and Lipozyme RM IM (Rhizomucor miehei) was carried out. The predominant fatty acids in jatropha oil were palmitic acid (14%), stearic acid (7%), oleic acid (41%) and linoleic acid (35%). The optimum conditions for the synthesis of wax esters by the immobilized lipase EQ3 were 10 U of enzyme, a molar ratio of jatropha oil and oleyl alcohol of 1:4 in isooctane at 30 °C for 12 h to achieve an 89% conversion. The optimum conditions for wax ester synthesis by the Lipozyme RM IM were 10 U of enzyme, a molar ratio of jatropha oil and oleyl alcohol of 1:3 in hexane at 45 °C for 12 h to achieve an 86% conversion. For the reusability test, the immobilized lipase EQ3 provided a higher percentage of wax esters (88%) than the Lipozyme RM IM (24%) at the 5th batch. The wax ester composition of the jatropha oil was oleyl palmitate (18%), oleyl stearate (10%), oleyl oleate and oleyl linoleate (67%). The wax esters had melting points of −14.83, 8.50 and 13.17 °C, and were completely decomposed at 380 °C.

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