ENZYMATIC-SYNTHESIS OF ESTOLIDES BY A BIOREACTOR

An attempt was made to synthesize ricinoleic acid estolides effectivel y with a bioreactor system containing immobilized lipase. The optimal water content for reaction changed during synthesis of estolide from r icinoleic acid. The water content needs to be controlled to optimize c onditions for each reaction stage and to prepare estolide with a high degree of condensation. The estolide synthesis was attempted to con fi rm if the reaction would have proceeded to the targeted degree of cond ensation by controlling the reaction mixture under the optimal water c ontent. The result showed that, with the bioreactor, the reaction coul d proceed rapidly. A repeated batch reaction was possible in the biore actor. The amount of lipase used can thus be highly reduced compared w ith discarding it each time. The loading density of enzyme onto the ca rrier greatly affected enzymatic activity, with a loading level of 60 mg lipase/g carrier producing 60% more estolide per gram of enzyme tha n a loading level of 120 mg/g. The estolide product synthesized in the bioreactor showed no coloration during the reaction process. This fac t confirmed the validity of the proposed method.