Enzymatic coproduction of biodiesel and glycerol carbonate from soybean oil and dimethyl carbonate

• Published in: Enzyme and microbial technology 2011-05, Vol.48 (6), p.505-509
• Main Authors: Seong, Pil-Je, Jeon, Byoung Wook, Lee, Myunggu, Cho, Dae Haeng, Kim, Duk-Ki, Jung, Kwang S., Kim, Seung Wook, Han, Sung Ok, Kim, Yong Hwan, Park, Chulhwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Biocatalysis; Biodiesel; Biofuel production; Biofuels; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Candida antarctica; Coproduction; Dimethyl carbonate; Energy; Enzymes, Immobilized; Esterification; Formates - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungal Proteins - metabolism; Glycerol - analogs & derivatives; Glycerol - metabolism; Glycerol carbonate; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Lipase - metabolism; Solvents; Soybean Oil - metabolism; Substrate Specificity; Temperature; tert-Butanol; tert-Butyl Alcohol
• ISSN: 0141-0229; 1879-0909
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2011.02.009

The enzymatic coproduction of biodiesel and glycerol carbonate by the transesterification of soybean oil was studied using lipase as catalyst in organic solvent. To produce biodiesel and glycerol carbonate simultaneously, experiments were designed sequentially. Enzyme screening, the molar ratio of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) to soybean oil, reaction temperature and solvent effects were investigated. The results of enzyme screening, at 100 g/L Novozym 435 (immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B), biodiesel and glycerol carbonate showed conversions of 58.7% and 50.7%, respectively. The optimal conditions were 60 °C, 100 g/L Novozym 435, 6.0:1 molar ratio with tert-butanol as solvent: 84.9% biodiesel and 92.0% glycerol carbonate production was achieved.