Lipase mediated transesterification of Simarouba glauca oil: a new feedstock for biodiesel production

Background: Immobilized lipase mediated tranesterification process for new feed stock Simarouba glauca oil for biodiesel production has been developed by utilizing the greener aspects of immobilized biocatalyst in n-hexane solvent system. The presence of solvent system helps to overcome the negative effects of methanol and glycerol, the end product. Effect of methanol to oil ratio, reaction time, methanol to hexane ratio, reaction temperature, agitation speed and immobilized lipase on final molar conversion were investigated. Results: A maximum yield of 91.5 % fatty acid methyl esters with a 62.23 % molar conversion with respect to methyl oleate has been achieved with oil: methanol molar ratio of 1:1, using 10 U of immobilized lipase/g of oil and with methanol to oil ratio of 1:0.6 in a reaction time of 36 h at 34 °C and 200 rpm. Immobilized lipase has been reused successfully up to 6 recycles with retaining relative activity of more than 95 %. Conclusion: Lipase mediated tranesterification of new feedstock Simarouba glauca oil for biodiesel production has been successfully carried out under n-hexane solvent system. Utilization of immobilized lipase, which facilitates reuse helps considerably for the economy of the process. The introduced new feedstock with a green tinge seems to be a very promising to the biofuel sector for biodiesel production through sustainable approach.