Kinetics and modelling of an alcoholysis reaction catalyzed by cutinase immobilized on NaY zeolite

Fusarium solani pisi recombinant cutinase was immobilized by adsorption on NaY zeolite. The kinetics of the alcoholysis reaction of butyl acetate with hexanol in isooctane catalyzed by cutinase immobilized on NaY zeolite, was studied. The reaction kinetics is suggested to follow a Ping-Pong bi–bi mechanism in which competitive inhibition by excess of alcohols has been identified. No evidence of any significant external diffusional limitation has been detected. The time validation of the model was successfully achieved simultaneously for 15 experimental product evolutions in a batch stirred tank reactor (BSTR) for different initial reactant concentrations.