Biochemical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati – 781 039, Assam, India
*For Correspondence - veeranki@iitg.ernet.in
Online published on 31 January, 2014.
The synthesis of methyl esters by transesterification of tributyrin, triolein and soyabean oil in organic solvent was demonstrated using cutinase from Pseudomonas cepacia NRRL B-2320. The optimal temperature range for the enzyme catalyzed synthesis was found to be from 35°C to 40°C. The maximum conversion (65%) during synthesis of ester was obtained with 2.5 mg/ml of enzyme. The optimal methanol to oil ratio was found to be 1.5:1 with all three substrates. The kinetic analysis for the synthesis of methyl esters from tributyrin/triolein/soyabean oil have shown that the Ping-Pong bi bi model with alcohol inhibition was found to be the most suitable for the prediction of the reaction kinetics for all the cases.
Biodiesel, Cutinase, Ping-Pong bi bi model, Pseudomonas cepacia, Transesterification
