Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
70246 | Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic | 2012 | 7 Pages |
Fatty acid esters (biodiesel) were produced from the enzymatic transesterification of Persea americana mill oil (in South America known as Aguacate) with methanol, ethanol, propanol, 2,2-dimethyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, and 3-methyl-1-butanol were studied. Candida antarctica B lipase was immobilised on mesoporous foam synthesised using nonylphenol ethoxylated with n = 4 (FC-4), and the enzyme was supported on foam carbon with ethoxylated nonylphenol n = 6 (FC-6) for obtaining the biocatalyst. In the conversion of Persea americana mill oil to alkyl esters using (FC-6) as a support, 3-methyl-1-butanol gave the highest conversion of 100%, 2-methyl-1-butanol 92%, 2,2-dimethyl-1-propanol 81%, propanol 70% and ethanol 60%, and 48% methyl ester was observed with methanol. With FC-4 used to support the enzyme, 3-methyl-1-butanol gave the highest conversion of 70%, 2-methyl-1-butanol 65%, 2,2-dimethyl-1-propanol 58%, propanol 50% and ethanol 45%, and 37% methyl ester was observed with methanol.
Graphical abstractNitrogen adsorption isotherms measured at 77 K for the FC-4 and FC-6 and pore size distribution for the materials.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Fatty acid esters (biodiesel) were produced from the enzymatic transesterification of Persea americana mill. ► Candida antarctica B lipase was immobilised on mesoporous foam synthesised using nonylphenol. ► In the conversion of Persea americana mill oil to alkyl esters using (FC-6) as a support, 3-methyl-1-butanol gave the highest conversion of 100%.