Bio-recycling of hexanes from laboratory waste mixtures of hexanes and ethyl acetate by ester biotransformation: a green alternative process

The action of different fungal strains and hydrolytic enzymes on the biotransformation of ethyl acetate constituent of laboratory wastes (mixtures of ethyl acetate-hexanes) was investigated. The studies using Aspergillus terreus SSP 1498 as biocatalyst, showed good results concerning the efficiency of ethyl acetate biotransformation (upto 99%) and quickness of the process (5 min). Novozym 435 was found to be the best lipase for the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate from the waste (85% biotransformation).