EFFECT OF THE SURFACTANT ON ENZYMATIC-HYDROLYSIS OF PALM OIL IN MICROEMULSION

Lipase catalyzed hydrolysis of a triglyceride, palm oil, was performed in L2 type microemulsions based on different surfactants. Isooctane w as used as hydrocarbon and the composition of the microemulsions was t he same in all experiments. NMR self-diffusion measurements indicated that all microemulsions consisted of closed water droplets and that th e structure did not change much during the course of the reaction. The hydrolysis was fast in the microemulsions based on branched-chain ani onic or nonionic surfactant but very slow when a branched cationic or a linear nonionic surfactant was used. The cationic surfactant was fou nd to form aggregates with the enzyme. No such interactions were detec ted with the other surfactants.