Lipase‐catalyzed transesterification of rapeseed oil and 2‐ethyl‐1‐hexanol

Abstract

Abstract Lipase‐catalyzed transesterification (alcoholysis) of lowerucic acid rapeseed oil and 2‐ethyl‐1‐hexanol without an additional organic solvent was studied in stirred batch reactors. Of a number of commercially available enzymes investigated, the best results were obtained with a Candida rugosa lipase. The optimal transesterification conditions were an oil/alcohol molar ratio of 1∶2.8, a minimum of 1.0% (w/w) added water, and with a temperature of 37–55°C. Under the optimal conditions, a nearly complete conversion was obtained in one hour with 14.6% (w/w) lipase, whereas 0.3% (w/w) lipase required 10 h for similar results. The enzyme was inactivated at 60°C.