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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295780
Title: Production of 10(S)-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic and 7,10(S,S)-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic ethyl esters by Novozym 435 in solvent-free media

Author
item MARTIN-ARJOL, IGNACIO - University Of Barcelona
item BUSQUETS, MONTSE - University Of Barcelona
item Isbell, Terry
item MANRESA, ANGELS - University Of Barcelona

Submitted to: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/13/2013
Publication Date: 9/3/2013
Citation: Martin-Arjol, I., Busquets, M., Isbell, T.A., Manresa, A. 2013. Production of 10(S)-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic and 7,10(S,S)-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic ethyl esters by Novozym 435 in solvent-free media. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 97(18):8041-8048.

Interpretive Summary: This research produced ethyl esters from trans-hydroxy fatty acids using lipases as a catalyst and these esters may be useful as a fuel or fuel additive. Although there are a large number of reports about the conversion of fatty acids with lipases, there are only a few reports about the conversion of hydroxy-fatty acids with ethanol by lipases into esters. In addition, there have been some reports focused on the enzymatic conversion of triglycerides or free fatty acids with methanol or ethanol to produce biodiesel; however, trans-hydroxy fatty acids as raw materials have not been reported for the production of biodiesel. This study evaluated the amount of catalyst required to make esters and the ability of the catalyst to be reused. In addition, the manuscript provides structural evidence for these novel hydroxy fatty esters.

Technical Abstract: Novozym 435, lipase B from Candida antarctica, was used in this study for the production of ethyl esters. For the first time, trans-hydroxy-fatty acid ethyl esters were synthesized in vitro in solvent-free media. We studied the effects of the substrate–ethanol molar ratio and enzyme synthetic stability of the biocatalyst. To determine the structure of the formed compounds, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, nuclearmagnetic resonance, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry were used, three less time-consuming structural techniques. Trans-hydroxy-fatty acid ethyl esters were synthesized with a reaction yield of 90% or higher with optimal reaction conditions.