ENZYMATIC GLYCERIDE SYNTHESIS IN A FOAM REACTOR

We report the results of our study on Rhizomucor miehei lipase-catalyz ed lauric acid-glycerol esterification in a foam reactor. A satisfacto ry yield of glyceride synthesis can be achieved with an unusually high initial water content (50% w/w). We found that product formation coul d be regulated by controlling foaming. Foaming was a function of the a ir flow rate, reaction temperature, pH value, ionic strength, and subs trate molar ratio. Monolaurin and dilaurin, which constituted nearly 8 0% of the total yield, were the two dominant products in this reaction ; trilaurin was also formed at the initial stages of the reaction. A s tudy of pH and ionic strength effects on an independent basis revealed that they affect the interfacial mechanism in different manners. On v arying the ratio of lauric acid and glycerol, only a slight change in the degree of conversion was detected and the consumption rate of fatt y acid was approximately the same.