Transesterification between triolein and stearic acid catalyzed by lipase in CO2 at various pressures

Transesterification between triolein and stearic acid catalyzed by lipase i n pressurized CO2 at 50 degrees C was classified into three regions accordi ng to the pressure. Below 5 MPa which was the non-solvent region, the react ion was limited in the liquid triolein phase and the reaction rate was very slow. In the near critical region, from 5 to 10 MPa, the reaction rate was maximal at 5.9 MPa because of the stabilization of the enzyme-substrate co mplex. In the supercritical region, above 10 MPa, the reaction rate increas ed with an increase in pressure reflecting the increase in solubility of su bstrate in supercritical CO2.