TY - JOUR

T1 - Kinetics and hydrodynamics of Candida antartica lipase-catalyzed synthesis of glycerol dioleate (GDO) in a continuous flow packed-bed millireactor

AU - Abd Razak, Nurul Nadiah

AU - Cognet, Patrick

AU - Pérès, Yolande

AU - Gew, Lai Ti

AU - Aroua, Mohamed Kheireddine

PY - 2022/11/1

Y1 - 2022/11/1

N2 - Diacylglycerols (DAG) have been widely used in many industries due to their remarkable capabilities as emulsifiers and stabilisers. However, developing a sustainable and an effective synthesis method for DAG remains a challenge. Continuous flow bio-reactor is recognized to be more productive, controllable, and reliable instrument for developing green and intensified processes. In this work, a continuous flow packed bed millireactor was employed for the synthesis of glycerol dioelate (GDO) catalyzed by immobilized lipase namely Candida antartica. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the kinetic parameters as well as to assess the internal and external mass transfer limitations. Using one-factor-at-a-time variables method, maximum oleic acid conversion and GDO selectivity were achieved at 85% and 74% respectively, at 0.15 g of lipase, 77 min of residence time with 1.6:1 molar ratio of oleic acid/glycerol. Hydrodynamic studies showed that the esterification reaction is kinetically controlled and unaffected by external and internal mass transfer. Employing Lilly–Hornby model for kinetic evaluation, K m values increased with increasing flow rates, whereas, V max appeared to be flow rate independent. Reusability tests revealed that the activity of immobilized lipase remained the same after 9 successive reaction cycles. At 11 days of operation, the stability of the lipase in the continuous packed bed millireactor decreased only 5–7%, indicating satisfying operational results and recyclability. This work may promote the enzymatic engineering synthesis of DAG, facilitating the creation of a cleaner and safer process. It has the potential to broaden the application of enzymes in continuous flow micro or millireactors.

AB - Diacylglycerols (DAG) have been widely used in many industries due to their remarkable capabilities as emulsifiers and stabilisers. However, developing a sustainable and an effective synthesis method for DAG remains a challenge. Continuous flow bio-reactor is recognized to be more productive, controllable, and reliable instrument for developing green and intensified processes. In this work, a continuous flow packed bed millireactor was employed for the synthesis of glycerol dioelate (GDO) catalyzed by immobilized lipase namely Candida antartica. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the kinetic parameters as well as to assess the internal and external mass transfer limitations. Using one-factor-at-a-time variables method, maximum oleic acid conversion and GDO selectivity were achieved at 85% and 74% respectively, at 0.15 g of lipase, 77 min of residence time with 1.6:1 molar ratio of oleic acid/glycerol. Hydrodynamic studies showed that the esterification reaction is kinetically controlled and unaffected by external and internal mass transfer. Employing Lilly–Hornby model for kinetic evaluation, K m values increased with increasing flow rates, whereas, V max appeared to be flow rate independent. Reusability tests revealed that the activity of immobilized lipase remained the same after 9 successive reaction cycles. At 11 days of operation, the stability of the lipase in the continuous packed bed millireactor decreased only 5–7%, indicating satisfying operational results and recyclability. This work may promote the enzymatic engineering synthesis of DAG, facilitating the creation of a cleaner and safer process. It has the potential to broaden the application of enzymes in continuous flow micro or millireactors.

KW - Diacylglycerol

KW - Process intensification

KW - Lilly-Hornby

KW - Continuous flow

KW - Enzyme kinetics

KW - Immobilized enzymatic reactor

U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133816

DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133816

M3 - Journal article

VL - 373

JO - Journal of Cleaner Production

JF - Journal of Cleaner Production

SN - 0959-6526

M1 - 133816

ER -