Enzymatic synthesis of 2-ethylhexyl esters of fatty acids by immobilized lipase from Candida sp. 99–125

Abstract The 2-ethylhexyl esters of fatty acids were synthesized by immobilized lipase from Candida sp. 99–125. The reuse stability of immobilized lipase was at least four batches. The conditions of enzymatic synthesis of 2-ethylhexyl palmitate were optimized. In the system of petroleum ether, 10% (w/w) immobilized lipase was used in the esterfication of 2-ethyl hexanol (7.8 mmol) and palmitic acid (7.8 mmol) at 40 °C with silica gel as the water absorbent. The esterification degree was 91% under these conditions. The purity of 2-ethylhexyl palmitate was 98% after purification consisting washing by water and evaporation to remove the organic solvent.