Chemo-enzymatic epoxidation catalyzed by C. antarctica lipase immobilized in microemulsion-based organogels

• Candida antarctica lipase B is immobilized in microemulsion-based organogels.
• This biocatalyst is used for the first time to catalyze epoxidation reactions.
• The parameters that affect the reaction yield are determined.
• The biocatalyst was reused efficiently showing even hyperactivity.
• The activation energy is low (41 kJ mol−1).

The use of Candida antarctica lipase B immobilized in hydroxyl-propyl-methyl cellulose microemulsion-based organogels as media for the catalysis of oleic acid epoxidation with H2O2, has been tested. The optimization of several reaction conditions such as temperature, concentration of substrates and the enzyme content in the organogel has been examined. For this purpose an experimental design (central composite rotatable design) was applied. The results showed that the highest conversion yields are observed for the lower temperatures, while the enzyme and oleic acid concentrations do not affect significantly the reaction yield. Moreover, the reusability of the catalyst has been verified. The epoxidation of linoleic acid was tested as well and it was observed that the main products were the mono-epoxides and not the di-epoxide.

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