Sustainable biocatalysis via lipase immobilization: pyrolyzed lignocellulosic bamboo supports in batch and continuous...

Bamboo-derived biochars obtained via fast and slow pyrolysis conditions were used as supports for the immobilization of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) through physical adsorption. The FP- and SP-based materials were then evaluated in esterification and hydrolysis reactions under both batch and continuous-flow conditions. In all cases, high immobilization yields were obtained, although the catalytic performance of FP-derived systems was consistently higher. In batch esterification of long-chain fatty acids, FP-CALB achieved high conversions, reaching up to 97% under optimized conditions (50 °C, fatty acid/ethanol molar ratio 1 : 1.5). The system also showed good reproducibility over four consecutive cycles. Only a limited decrease in activity was observed after several reuses, while overall stability remained high. The catalytic system was also tested on different substrates, including saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as well as industrial mixtures, giving high conversions throughout. Under continuous-flow operation, FP-CALB maintained high activity even at short residence times. Altogether, these observations indicate a strong effect of the pyrolysis conditions on the properties of the carbon supports, with fast pyrolysis biochars providing the most effective systems for repeated use.