SURFACTANT EFFECTS ON LIPASE-CATALYZED HYDROLYSIS OF OLIVE OIL IN AOTISOOCTANE REVERSE MICELLES/

The effects of surfactant concentration on the hydrolytic activity of Candida rugosa lipase in AOT/isooctane reverse micelles with olive oil as the substrate has been investigated. A noncompetitive inhibition b y the surfactant on the enzyme was observed. Strong dependences of the kinetic constants k(cat) and k(M), but not k(I), on the water-to-surf actant ratio (R value) have been identified. The benefits of carrying out the hydrolysis at higher surfactant and water concentrations were demonstrated from the improvement of the initial rate and time course of conversion.