Comparative Study of Immobilized Biolipasa‐R for Second Generation Biodiesel Production from an Acid Oil

Abstract

AbstractThe primary objective of this work is to develop a sustainable biocatalytic transesterification process for low‐grade oils, aligning with EU green technology requirements for the shift to second generation biodiesel. Thus, we investigated the immobilization and subsequent application of the lipase Biolipasa‐R on transesterification processes to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from both a sunflower oil and an acid oil which is a bioproduct of the biodiesel industry. The lipase was immobilized on biomaterials, such as diatomaceous earth, with a yield of 60 %, and commercial carriers such as methacrylic resins with a yield of 100 %. The enzyme demonstrated superior activity when immobilized on diatomaceous earth, particularly in reactions involving the acid oil, outperforming the benchmark enzyme Novozym® 435 (95.1 % and 35 % conversion respectively). This work highlights the potential of Biolipasa‐R as a cost‐effective and efficient biocatalyst for biodiesel production and emphasizes the environmental benefits of utilizing industrial byproducts and eco‐friendly immobilization techniques. The findings suggest that Biolipasa‐R is a promising candidate for industrial applications in biodiesel production, offering a sustainable solution for waste management and energy generation.