Biodiesel production by immobilized lipase on zeolites and related materials

In this communication a study of the catalytic behavior of the immobilized Rhizomucor miehei lipase in the transesterification reaction to biodiesel production has been reported. The main drawbacks associated to the current biodiesel production by basic homogeneous catalysis could be overcome by using immobilized lipases. Immobilization by adsorption and entrapment have been used as methods to prepare the heterogeneous biocatalyst. Zeolites and related materials have been used as inorganic lipase supports. To promote the enzyme adsorption' the surface of the supports have been functionalized by synthesis procedures or by post-treatments. While, the enzyme entrapping procedure has been carried out by sol-gel method in order to obtain the biocatalyst protected by a mesoporous matrix and to reduce its leaching after several catalytic uses.