CASTOR BEAN LIPASE AS A BIOCATALYST IN THE ESTERIFICATION OF FATTY-ACIDS TO GLYCEROL

Castor bean lipase was investigated as biocatalyst in the esterificati on of fatty acids to glycerol. For this purpose, pressed seeds were pr etreated with phosphate-citrate buffer solution at optimal preincubati on time and pH and used as a lipase source in esterification of fatty acids with glycerol. The effect of process parameters in the esterific ation, i.e., molar ratios of reactants, temperature, water content oi glycerol and concentration of lipase, were determined by using pretrea ted castor bean.