Enzymatic Synthesis of Butyl Butyrate Using Response Surface Methodology

Enzymatic synthesis of butyl butyrate by immobilized Rhizomucor miehei (Lipozyme IM 20) lipase has been investigated in n-hexane using 3 - variables, 3 - level, Box - Behnken design. The reaction parameters such as substrate concentration, enzyme concentration and temperature have been studied. The maximum esterification of 40% was obtained using following conditions. Substrate concentration 0.2 M, enzyme concentration 150 mg and 48 h of incubation at 40°C. Under these conditions, the experimentally obtained esterification value of 38.75% is well matched with that of predicted yield.