Enhancement of activity and stability of lipase by microemulsion-based organogels (MBGs) immobilization and application for synthesis of arylethyl acetate

Lipase from Candida rugosa (CRL) was immobilized in microemulsion-based organogels (MBGs) and subsequently applied in large scale synthesis of arylethyl acetate in organic solvents as a more stable and efficient catalyst. Various reaction parameters (solvent, temperature, substrate concentration) were investigated for enhancement of ester production. Thermal and operational stabilities were improved compared with free CRL showing its potential for continuous applications. They were more stable at 50–60 °C and showed good recovery activity, which retained 70% of their initial activity after 16 recycles in organic media and remained constant at that level thereafter. Moreover, the immobilized lipase can maintain high catalytic activity in a variety of organic solvents, while free lipase was easily inactivated in polar solvent. A series of alcohols with different substitution groups were successfully applied in CRL MBGs-catalyzed transesterification, affording higher conversions than those with the free enzyme.