Immobilization of Lipase from Candida rugosa on Chitosan Beads for Transesterification Reaction

Problem statement: Further study is recommended to improve the immobilization technique and the immobilized lipase’s performance as catalysis in transesterification reaction. Approach: To investigate the ability of immobilized lipase on chitosan beads to catalyze the transesterification of cooking oil to an ester. The porous bead of chitosan was used for immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa by physical adsorption. Parameters like reaction time and oil to methanol molar ratios were studied to compare the transesterification performance between free lipase and immobilized lipase. Results: The experimental result showed that the maximum conversion of ester using immobilized lipase and free lipase were 72.25 and 76.5% respectively which was obtained at conditions of 1:4 molar ratios and reaction time of 48 h. Conclusion: Even though the conversion of ester was higher in free lipase than in immobilized lipase, it is still feasible to use immobilized lipase to catalyze the transesterification process provided it’s easier to separate the end product and high potential to be reused. Immobilize lipase also tolerated the water content of oil and increases product yield by avoiding the soap formation.