Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
13:05
Enzymatic Synthesis of Epoxidized Metabolites of Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, and Arachidonic Acids
Published on: June 28, 2019
8.9K
Topic: Continuous Enzymatic Peracids Synthesis in Pickering Emulsions: Influence of Nanoparticles Modification,
Lemuel Onoriode Adomi1, Sara Fatima Bhutta2, Marion B Ansorge-Schumacher2
1School of Life Science Engineering HTW Berlin - University of Applied Sciences Berlin Germany.
Engineering in Life Sciences
|April 9, 2026
Summary
This study enhances green chemistry by using lipase-catalyzed oxidative functionalization in Pickering emulsions (PE). Optimized conditions and surface-modified nanoparticles improved enzyme stability and reaction rates for sustainable industrial biocatalysis.
Area of Science:
- Biocatalysis and Green Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Reaction Technology
Background:
- Conventional alkene oxidation uses hazardous oxidants, prompting research into greener alternatives.
- Enzymatic processes in Pickering emulsions (PE) show promise but face challenges like enzyme deactivation and low reaction rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the enzymatic synthesis of peroxyacetic acid, a key step in lipase-catalyzed oxidative functionalization, within a continuous membrane reactor.
- To optimize reaction conditions, including aqueous phase composition, nanoparticle modification, and operational parameters, for enhanced performance and stability.
Main Methods:
- Systematic study of enzymatic peroxyacetic acid synthesis in a continuous membrane reactor using Pickering emulsions.
- Evaluation of surface-modified silica nanoparticles for improved emulsion stability and enzyme performance.
- Optimization of pH, buffer concentration, enzyme loading, and oxidant type (hydrogen peroxide vs. urea hydrogen peroxide).
Main Results:
- Optimal conditions identified at pH 7, 100 mM buffer, and 5 g/L enzyme concentration.
- Surface-modified silica nanoparticles enhanced PE stability and interfacial catalytic efficiency.
- Maximum product yield of 83% achieved with hydrogen peroxide; space-time yield of 44.9 g/L/day and specific reaction rate of 17.5 mmol/g/h demonstrated significant improvements over organic-phase systems.
Conclusions:
- The developed Pickering emulsion system in a continuous membrane reactor offers a robust and efficient platform for enzymatic oxidative functionalization.
- The system overcomes limitations of enzyme deactivation and low specific activity, showing potential for industrial scale-up in fine chemical and pharmaceutical synthesis.
- This work lays the groundwork for continuous green chemistry processes, enhancing biocatalysis sustainability.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
4.6K
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...
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...
4.6K
01:14Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis
4.4K
Malonic ester synthesis is a method to obtain α substituted carboxylic acids from ꞵ-diesters such as diethyl malonate and alkyl halides.
4.4K
01:20Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Overview
22.4K
The Fischer esterification reaction was developed by the German chemist Emil Fischer in 1895. It is a condensation reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols in an acidic medium to give esters and water.
22.4K
02:57Sharpless Epoxidation
5.4K
The conversion of allylic alcohols into epoxides using the chiral catalyst was discovered by K. Barry Sharpless and is known as Sharpless epoxidation. The use of a chiral catalyst enables the formation of one enantiomer of the product in excess. This chiral catalyst is mainly a chiral complex of titanium tetraisopropoxide and tartrate ester (specific stereoisomer). The stereoisomer used in the chiral catalyst dictates the formation of the enantiomer of the product. In other words, the use of...
5.4K
01:07Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
4.9K
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...
4.9K
01:13Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism
11.7K
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.
11.7K