Covalent immobilization of Candida antarctica lipase B on nanopolystyrene and its application to microwave-assisted esterification

Nanopolystyrene was used as a solid support for the covalent immobilization of Candida antarctica lipase B (CalB) using the photoreactive reagent 1-fluoro-2-nitro-4-azido benzene (FNAB) as a coupling reagent. The obtained derivative was then used as a biocatalyst in a microwave assisted esterification experiment. Factors such as contact time, pH, and enzyme concentration were investigated during immobilization. The hydrolytic activity, thermal, and operational stability of immobilized-CalB were determined. The maximum immobilized yield (218 µg/mg support) obtained at pH 6.8 exhibited optimum hydrolytic activity (4.42 × 103 mU p-nitrophenol/min). The thermal stability of CalB improved significantly when it was immobilized at pH 10, however, the immobilized yield was very low (93.6 µg/mg support). The immobilized-CalB prepared at pH 6.8 and pH 10 retained 50% of its initial activity after incubation periods of 14 and 16 h, respectively, at 60 °C. The operational stability was investigated for the microwave assisted esterification of oleic acid with methanol. Immobilized-CalB retained 50% of its initial activity after 15 batch cycles in the microwave-assisted esterification. The esterification time was notably reduced under microwave irradiation. The combined use of a biocatalyst and microwave heating is thus an alternative total green synthesis process.

Graphical AbstractCalB was covalently immobilized on FNAB-activated nanopolystyrene to improve its stability, activity and reusability in applications such as esterification. The esterification time was significantly reduced and the yield was increased when using immobilized CalB and microwave heating.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide