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Related Concept Videos

Biofuels01:25

Biofuels

The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification01:25

Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification

Esters can be hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids under acidic or basic conditions. Base-promoted hydrolysis of esters is a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction in which esters react with an aqueous base, followed by an acid to give carboxylic acids. This reaction is also known as saponification because it forms the basis for making soaps from fats.
The reaction requires a base in stoichiometric amounts, which participates in the reaction and is not regenerated later. So, the base acts as a...
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis01:07

Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis

Acetoacetic ester synthesis is a method to obtain ketones from alkyl halides and β-keto esters. The reaction occurs in the presence of an alkoxide base that abstracts the acidic proton of the β-keto esters. The step results in an enolate ion which is doubly stabilized. The enolate then reacts with an alkyl halide via the SN2 process to produce an alkylated ester intermediate with a new C–C bond. The hydrolysis of the intermediate, followed by acidification, results in an alkylated β-keto acid.
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis01:14

Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis

Malonic ester synthesis is a method to obtain α substituted carboxylic acids from ꞵ-diesters such as diethyl malonate and alkyl halides.
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis01:13

Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis of esters under acidic conditions proceeds through a nucleophilic acyl substitution. In the presence of excess water, the reaction proceeds in a reversible manner, forming carboxylic acids and alcohols.
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism01:13

Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism

Carboxylic acids react with alcohols to yield esters via an acid-catalyzed condensation reaction called Fischer esterification. This is a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction that proceeds via a tetrahedral intermediate, where a water molecule is eliminated as the leaving group.

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Ultrasonic-Assisted Preparation of Biodiesel Products from Vegetable Oils
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Combining enzymatic esterification with conventional alkaline transesterification in an integrated biodiesel process.

Jesper Brask1, Marianne Linde Damstrup, Per Munk Nielsen

  • 1Novozymes, Krogshoejvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. jebk@novozymes.com

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
|September 30, 2010
PubMed
Summary

This study demonstrates an efficient two-step enzymatic process for converting palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) into fatty acid methyl esters. The immobilized enzyme Novozym 435 effectively reduces free fatty acid content, offering a sustainable alternative for biodiesel production.

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Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile
06:52

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile

Published on: October 30, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Renewable Energy

Background:

  • Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is a byproduct of palm oil refining, often containing high free fatty acid (FFA) content.
  • Traditional methods for FFA reduction in biodiesel production can be energy-intensive or environmentally taxing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a two-step enzymatic esterification process for PFAD conversion.
  • To evaluate the efficiency and performance of immobilized lipase Novozym 435 in packed-bed reactors.
  • To assess the potential of this enzymatic approach as an alternative to conventional biodiesel production methods.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized immobilized lipase Novozym 435 in packed-bed columns for a two-step enzymatic esterification of PFAD.
  • Employed a small excess of methanol in the first stage to reduce FFA from 85% to 5% within 15 minutes.
  • Incorporated a water removal step followed by a second reaction stage to further decrease FFA to 2.5% in 30 minutes.

Main Results:

  • Achieved a significant reduction in FFA content from 85% to 5% in the first stage and 2.5% after the second stage.
  • Demonstrated high enzyme productivity: 10 kg/kg/h in the first stage and 5 kg/kg/h in the second stage.
  • Established an enzyme operational lifetime, treating approximately 3,500 kg PFAD per kg of Novozym 435 before inactivation.

Conclusions:

  • The two-step enzymatic esterification process using Novozym 435 is a viable and efficient method for converting PFAD into fatty acid methyl esters.
  • This enzymatic approach offers a promising, potentially more sustainable alternative to current industrial biodiesel production methods.
  • Further process optimization could enhance the economic feasibility and industrial applicability of enzymatic biodiesel production from high FFA feedstocks.