Immobilization of Lipase on CaCO3 and Entrapment in Calcium Alginate Bead for Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel productions from palm oil by using C. rugosa free and immobilized lipases as biocatalystswere investigated. Three methods of lipase immobilizations were studied: 1) adsorption of lipase onCaCO3 (CRLA), 2) entrapment of lipase in Ca-alginate matrix (CRLE) and 3) entrapment of CaCO3–lipase in Ca-alginate matrix (CRLAE). The effects of operational parameters such as ratio of enzymeto oil, molar ratio of ethanol to oil, operating temperature, bead diameter and shaking speed ontransesterification were examined. The optimal conditions for the biodiesel were at the molar ratio ofethanol to palm oil of 9:1, 5 % C. rugosa lipase based on oil weight, 50 oC and 250 rpm. After 48hours at the optimal condition, the reaction with entrapment of lipase of Ca-alginate matrix (CRLE)exhibited the higher ethyl ester yield (74%) than those of CRLA and CRLAE, whereas ethyl esteryield of 83% was obtained after 24 hours by using the free lipases.