Esterification of methanol and oleic acid using loofa-immobilized Rhizopus oryzae

Aims and Biodiesel as a mixture of alkyl esters have reasonable compatibility with environment. Rhizopus oryzae with producing intracellular lipase (as whole cell) could catalyze the transesterification process. Effect of immobilization on enzyme activities at different cultivation times was also evaluated. Rhizopus oryzae free cells or immobilized on loofa support particles were used as biocatalyst. Titration method was used for measuring the hydrolytic activity and determination of free fatty acid content was carried out with colorimetric method. Results show that cell immobilization results in increasing intracellular lipase activity. Furthermore, the best lipase activity was achieved using the 48-h cultivated biocatalyst. The experimental observations reveal that methyl oleate yield increase with step-wise addition of methanol. Cell immobilization enhances intracellular lipase production. Loofa-immobilized Rhizopus oryzae is an appropriate catalyst for ester synthesis.