Synthesis of cetyl ricinoleate catalyzed by immobilized Lipozyme® CalB lipase in a solvent-free system

• An immobilized CalB lipase with protein content over 30 mg/g has been obtained.
• This immobilized CalB lipase was used as biocatalyst to produce cetyl ricinoleate.
• The highest reaction rate value was obtained at 70 °C.
• The vacuum-obtained cetyl ricinoleate reached an acid value of 1.98 mg KOH/g.
• The derivative can be used three consecutive cycles without loss of activity.

A green process has been performed for the synthesis of the emollient ester cetyl ricinoleate with a new immobilized derivative of Candida antarctica lipase B, which has been prepared by physical adsorption of Lipozyme® CalB L on a macroporous anionic exchange resin (Lewatit® MonoPlus MP 64). An immobilized CalB lipase with protein content over 30 mg/g has been obtained and it has been successfully used as biocatalyst to produce cetyl ricinoleate from esterification of ricinoleic acid with cetyl alcohol. Influence of amount of biocatalyst and temperature was studied in the open-air reactor, and optimal values could be fixed in 2 mg and 70 °C, respectively. Biocatalyst storage stability study was developed in this reactor and it was showed the high storage stability of the immobilized derivative, because it keeps 100% of its enzymatic activity after eight months. Studies of recovery and reuse of the immobilized derivative were performed in the vacuum reactor, and it was proved the possibility of using the same biocatalyst in three consecutive reaction cycles without apparent loss of activity. Finally, the characterization of the cetyl ricinoleate obtained in the vacuum reactor demonstrated that the product obtained after only 3 or 4 h of reaction meets manufacturers’ specifications.

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