ENZYMATIC-SYNTHESIS OF OLEYL OLEATE IN DENSE FLUIDS

Esterification between oleic acid and oleyl alcohol, catalyzed by the Mucor miehei immobilized lipase in a batch-stirred tank reactor with s upercritical carbon dioxide as solvent produced higher reaction rates at supercritical conditions than in the solvent-free system. A continu ous fixed-bed reactor was designed based on the results obtained from batch experiments. At 150 bar, 40 degrees C, and with water activity 0 .46% w/w, the activity of the enzyme preparation is practically unchan ged when COL, was used as solvent. The addition of small amounts of wa ter increases the conversion rate. The higher conversion also was obse rved at longer residence time. When n-butane was used as reaction medi um, a decrease in conversion was observed.