Enzymatic route selection for monoglyceride production using immobilized lipase on matrix obtained by sol-gel technique

• Grant number: 06/03386-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2006
• End date: November 30, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Heizir Ferreira de Castro
• Grantee: Larissa de Freitas
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this project is to develop an efficient system for the enzymatic production of monoglycerides in solvent free system, using the direct esterification (glycerol and fatty acids) and glycerolysis (glycerol and vegetable oils) routes. The process should be simple and easy –handling with low energy consumption and reduction of residues, allowing obtaining satisfactory results that can be comparable with those obtained by chemical route. The main aspects that will be approached includes the evaluation of strategies for production of MAG by esterification and glycerolysis in different bioreactor configurations operating under discontinuous or continuous mode, taking into consideration peculiar aspects of each route, such as water removal along the esterification reactions or the use of inert atmosphere to avoid the oil oxidation during the glycerolysis reactions. Another aspect to be approached is to operate the reactor under feed-batch mode since high glycerol concentrations can inhibit reactions catalyzed by lipases, although its excess favors the formation of MAG. An additional strategy to be tested includes the use of reactions assisted by microwaves. This is a recent technique and few studies carried out under microwave irradiations proved to be a clean, cheap and convenient method that affords higher yield and results in shorter reaction times, among other benefits. In relation to the state of art there are no national published works that contemplate the strategies proposed in this project.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

FREITAS, Larissa de. Enzymatic route selection for monoglyceride production using immobilized lipase on matrix obtained by sol-gel technique. 2009. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL/ASDI) Lorena.