Lipase catalysis: an environmentally friendly production for polyol esters (biolubricant) from microalgae oil

Abstract

<b>ABSTRACT</b>This study aims to investigate the optimized lipase-catalysed esterification reaction from novel feedstock microalgae (<i>Chlorella protothecoides</i>) oil-free fatty acids (FFAs) for biolubricant (Trimethylolpropane (TMP)-triesters) synthesis. FFAs were obtained from microalgae oil by enzymatic hydrolysis. Response surface methodology (RSM) with the central composite design was performed to investigate the effect of experimental factors (lipase amount, TMP/FFAs molar ratio, reaction temperature) on the FFAs conversion and also investigated to resolve the optimum design points. After the experimental studies, the highest FFAs conversion of 93% with 92% triester and 8% mono, di esters contents were found when the lipase amount was 5.5%. TMP/FFAs molar ratio was 0.33 and the reaction temperature value was 60°C. The model fitted with the experimental values with <i>R</i>² = 0.97. It was also supported by gas chromatography and FTIR analyses that the product obtained was a lubricant.