Lipase Catalyzed Synthesis of Medium-chain Biodiesel from Cinnamonum camphora Seed Oil

The non-edible camphor tree seed oil was extracted and catalyzed by immobilized lipase for biodiesel production. The oil yield from camphor tree seeds reached 35.2% of seed weight by twice microwave-assisted extractions. Gas chromatography showed that free fatty acid content in camphor tree seed oil was 1.88%, and the main fatty acids were capric acid (53.4%) and lauric acid (38.7%). With immobilized lipase Candida sp. 99–125 as catalyst, several important factors for reaction conditions were examined through orthogonal experiments. The optimum conditions were obtained: water content and enzyme loading were both 15% with a molar ratio of 1:3.5 (oil/ethanol), and the process of alcoholysis was in nine steps at 40 °C for 24 h, with agitation at 170 r·min− 1. As a result, the medium-chain biodiesel yield was 93.5%. The immobilized lipase was stable when it was used repeatedly for 210 h.

Graphical AbstractCamphor tree seed oil, a non-edible oil, was extracted by microwave-assisted method and used for biosynthesis of medium-chain biodiesel with immobilized lipase. The obtained mcFAEEs are in line with Chinese biodiesel standards, especially with excellent low temperature property.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide