Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Determination of Carbonyl Functional Groups in Bio-oils by Potentiometric Titration: The Faix Method
Published on: February 7, 2017
Enzymatic alcoholysis of palm and palm kernel oils: optimization by statistical methods
1PEQ/COPPE/UFRJ, Cx. Postal 68502, CEP 21945-970, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Abstract:
The use of lipases as biocatalysts in ester synthesis has been the object of growing interest, owing to the importance of esters as emulsifiers, intermediates to produce oleochemicals, and fuel alternatives. We consider in this report the application of lipases in the ethanolysis of palm and palm kernel oils to produce fatty-acid esters, using n-hexane as solvent. In order to maximize ester production, we adopted a Taguchi design and built an empirical model. Using this procedure, we determined the optimal condition for each system and established the influence of process variables in the conversion.
Related Concept Videos
Methods of Medium Optimization
Biofuels
Production of Alcohol
Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration of Alcohols to Alkenes
Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification
The reaction requires a base in stoichiometric amounts, which participates in the reaction and is not regenerated later. So, the base acts as a...

