Whole-cell biocatalysts for biodiesel fuel production

New insights into the molecular mechanism of methanol-induced inactivation ofThermomyces lanuginosuslipase: a molecular dynamics simulation study

“…This indicates that TLL is an efficient, convenient and soluble biocatalyst for cost-effective biodiesel production in water-requiring systems [4], [6] and [8]. Despite its great promise, the use of TLL to catalyze methanolysis reactions has its limitation because the presence of high concentrations of methanol can inactivate the enzyme [4], [5] and [8]. In this context, understanding the molecular basis of methanol-induced inactivation of TLL, and applying this knowledge to rationally engineer TLL, e.g., fine tuning the enzyme structure, to improve its methanol tolerance will facilitate TLL's application as a suitable industrial biocatalyst for biodiesel production.…”

“…Enzymatic biodiesel production with lipases has attracted broad attention from both academia and industry since it offers an environmentally friendly condition with simplified separation and purification processes compared to the chemical production of biodiesel [1], [2], [3] and [4]. Recently, lipase from ascomycetous fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL) has been explored for enzymatic biodiesel production due to its high methanolysis activity [5], [6], [7] and [8].…”

“…Recently, lipase from ascomycetous fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL) has been explored for enzymatic biodiesel production due to its high methanolysis activity [5], [6], [7] and [8]. In TLL-catalyzed methanolysis reaction between crude non-degummed soybean oil and methanol, the yield of fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) was over 96% (w/w of oil) in the presence of 3-5% (w/w of oil) water [4]. This indicates that TLL is an efficient, convenient and soluble biocatalyst for cost-effective biodiesel production in water-requiring systems [4], [6] and [8].…”

“…In TLL-catalyzed methanolysis reaction between crude non-degummed soybean oil and methanol, the yield of fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) was over 96% (w/w of oil) in the presence of 3-5% (w/w of oil) water [4]. This indicates that TLL is an efficient, convenient and soluble biocatalyst for cost-effective biodiesel production in water-requiring systems [4], [6] and [8]. Despite its great promise, the use of TLL to catalyze methanolysis reactions has its limitation because the presence of high concentrations of methanol can inactivate the enzyme [4], [5] and [8].…”

Study on the Properties of Immobilized Biocatalysts with Lipase Activity Produced by Yarrowia lipolytica in Batch Culture

“…Over the past 25 years, studies have shown that enzymes can work in organic solvents, and recent advances in protein engineering and directed evolution aided in the development of enzymes that show improved activity in non-aqueous solutions 2,3 . Lipases and esterases have received increasing importance in recent years because, for example 4,5 , the organic solvent tolerant cells allow the production of biodiesel. Free lipases are also used in many other two-phase system biotransformations for production of optically active alcohols, acids, esters, and lactones 2 .…”