The effect of reaction conditions upon lipase catalysed hydrolysis of higholeate sunflower oil in a stirred liquid-liquid reactor

This study is concerned with the hydrolysis of sunflower oil in the presenc e of lipase from the yeast Candida rugosa. The rate of reaction was studied as a function of lipase concentration and as a function of oil:water ratio . The sequential batchwise addition of water in a batch reactor as a means of controlling glycerol concentration in the reaction mixture has been stud ied. The potential benefits in terms of improved overall reaction kinetics and final conversion for a process are quantified. The effect of reaction p roducts on the downstream separation of the liquid-liquid product mixture i s also quantified, and the experimental relationships between coalescence r ate, oleic acid concentration and glycerol concentration are presented. A n ovel technique to estimate the selective accumulation of enzyme at the liqu id-liquid interface is described and confirms significant enhancement of en zyme activity in the vicinity of the interface. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.