Acoustic cavitation assisted lipase B catalysed synthesis of polyethylene glycol stearate in a solvent free system via esterification: synthesis and optimization

• Published in: Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology
• Main Authors: Nhivekar, Girish S, Rathod, Virendra K
• Other Authors: University Grants Commission
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2019
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6030; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjctb.6030; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jctb.6030; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/jctb.6030

Abstract BACKGROUND The current work describes the application of ultrasound and its improving effect on the synthesis of polyethylene glycol (PEG) stearate using Fermase (Fermase CALB™10,000 Candida antarctica Lipase B) as a biocatalyst via esterification of PEG600 and stearic acid. The influence of various parameters like molar ratio, temperature, speed of agitation, enzyme loading, effect of addition of molecular sieves and other factors associated with ultrasound, i.e. duty cycle and power, has been studied and optimized. RESULT A total of 84.34% of PEG stearate was obtained at ultrasound frequency of 22 kHz with 50 W power, 60 °C temperature, stirring speed 200 rpm, mole ratio of PEG600–stearic acid 1:1, 3% ( w / w ) molecular sieves, immobilized enzyme loading 0.5% ( w / w ) and duty cycle 50%. The enzyme showed reusability up to the fifth cycle. The reaction is conducted in a solvent free system which is an additional benefit. CONCLUSION A maximum conversion of 84.34% was obtained in 3 h of reaction time in the presence of ultrasound as compared to 6 h in the absence of ultrasound denoting the intensified effect of ultrasound on the synthesis. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry