Solvent Free Lipase Catalysed Synthesis of Ethyl Laurate: Optimization and Kinetic Studies.

The current research work represents solvent free enzymatic synthesis of fatty acid ethyl ester; ethyl laurate. Immobilized lipase Fermase CALB™10,000 was used for the synthesis of ethyl laurate from ethanol and lauric acid. The influence of process parameters such as catalyst loading, speed of agitation, mole ratio, molecular sieves and temperature were studied. Fermase CALB™10,000 offered a conversion of 92.46 % at 60 °C in 4 h at optimized condition. The experimental data was best fitted by the Random Bi-Bi model with inhibition of both the substrates i.e. lauric acid and ethanol. The following kinetic parameters were retrieved from the model: Vmax = 1.243 × 103 mmol/min/g enzyme; KA = 0.1283 mmol; KB = 8.51 mmol; KiA = 5.098 mmol; and SSE = 0.0142. The activation energy for the enzymatic esterification was also determined and calculated to be 28.49 kJ/mol. A maximum conversion of 71 % was obtained after 5 successive reuse of Fermase CALB™10,000 lipase.

Arsenic and fluoride contaminated groundwaters: A review of current technologies for contaminants removal.

Chronic contamination of groundwaters by both arsenic (As) and fluoride (F) is frequently observed around the world, which has severely affected millions of people. Fluoride and As are introduced into groundwaters by several sources such as water-rock interactions, anthropogenic activities, and groundwater recharge. Coexistence of these pollutants can have adverse effects due to synergistic and/or antagonistic mechanisms leading to uncertain and complicated health effects, including cancer. Many developing countries are beset with the problem of F and As laden waters, with no affordable technologies to provide clean water supply. The technologies available for the simultaneous removal are akin to chemical treatment, adsorption and membrane processes. However, the presence of competing ions such as phosphate, silicate, nitrate, chloride, carbonate, and sulfate affect the removal efficiency. Highly efficient, low-cost and sustainable technology which could be used by rural populations is of utmost importance for simultaneous removal of both pollutants. This can be realized by using readily available low cost materials coupled with proper disposal units. Synthesis of inexpensive and highly selective nanoadsorbents or nanofunctionalized membranes is required along with encapsulation units to isolate the toxicant loaded materials to avoid their re-entry in aquifers. A vast number of reviews have been published periodically on removal of As or F alone. However, there is a dearth of literature on the simultaneous removal of both. This review critically analyzes this important issue and considers strategies for their removal and safe disposal.

Lipase catalysed synthesis of cetyl oleate using ultrasound: Optimisation and kinetic studies.

The current paper exemplifies the application of ultrasound technology to enzymatic synthesis of a cosmetic emollient ester, cetyl oleate. Fermase CALB™10000, a commercial Candida antarctica lipase B was used as a catalyst to accomplish the ultrasound supported synthesis. Multiple process parameters like reaction time, temperature, enzyme dose, alcohol to acid molar ratio, ultrasound power, frequency and speed of agitation were optimised. Maximum conversion of ∼95.96% was discerned at optimum conditions, i.e., 60°C temperature, 5% enzyme dose, 2:1 alcohol:acid ratio, 60 W ultrasound power, 25 kHz ultrasound frequency, 80% duty cycle and 80 rpm speed of agitation after purification steps. It was observed that the reaction reached equilibrium in a short duration of 30 min under the optimised conditions. This was considerably lesser than the time required for attaining equilibrium in conventional mechanical stirring method which was over 2h. Bisubstrate kinetic models like random bi-bi, ping pong bi-bi and ordered bi-bi were applied to the experimental data to determine initial rates and other kinetic parameters. Ordered bi-bi model showed the best fit with kinetic parameters, Vmax=0.029 M/min/gcatalyst, KA=0.00001 M, KB=4.8002 M, KiA=0.00014 M, KiB=3.7914 M & SSE=0.00022 for enzymatic cetyl oleate synthesis under ultrasound irradiation with inhibition by both acid and alcohol at high concentrations.