Production of sugars from mixed hardwoods for use in the synthesis of sugar fatty acid esters catalyzed by immobilized‐stabilized derivatives of Candida antarctica lipase B

Abstract

The synthesis of sugar fatty acid esters (SFAEs) from lignocellulosic biomass and oleic acid (C18:1) was catalyzed by immobilized‐stabilized derivatives of Candida antarctica lipase B in a methyl ethyl ketone medium. After steam‐explosion pretreatment of mixed hardwoods and enzymatic hydrolysis at 15%wt solids, xylose and glucose were purified/concentrated to a mass ratio of ~3 to 1. These lignocellulosic sugars were superior to commercial sugars as the carbohydrate source for the esterification reaction in terms of sugar conversions. The highest conversions were obtained using 1.5% w/v of Novozyme 435 (N435, uncoated) as the biocatalyst for the synthesis of SFAEs. Coating the N435 with polyethyleneimine (PEI) prevented enzyme leakage into the reaction medium and produced 35% and 50% higher xylose and glucose conversions to SFAEs, respectively, at the same enzyme loading. After six 24 h reuse cycles with the PEI‐coated N435, xylose conversion decreased by 44%, while a 65% reduction in xylose conversion was observed with the uncoated lipase. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the production of xylose and glucose mono‐ and di‐esters. Our purified product presented an emulsion capacity (EC) close to that of a commercial sugar ester and the ECs of the xylose oleate, laurate, and palmitate synthesized in previous studies.

Latest Trends in Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Ester Carbohydrate Surfactants: From Key Parameters to Opportunities and Future Development

“…Biomass can also be used. Recently, the synthesis of SFAEs catalyzed by CalB on xylose/glucose mixtures isolated from mixed hardwoods has been described [53]. * Binding site has not been specified.…”

Trends in the Use of Lipases: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

“…Lipase immobilization techniques have been the subject of several studies developed over the years [ 6 , 13 , 16 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ]. These techniques improve recyclability, stability, and enzymatic activity, impacting market productivity and profitability.…”