Preparation of bio-diesel from rapeseed oil catalyzed by lipase in t-BuOH

To improve catalytical environment of lipase, factors influencing rapeseed oil ethanolysis reaction catalyzed by lipase LVK were investigated. And the optimal reaction conditions were attained as follows: 5∶1 of ethanol/oil molar ratio, 10% enzyme and 10% t-BuOH based on oil weight, reaction at 40℃ for 30 h, under which the maximum ethyl esters yield can reach 94.7%. The experimental results showed that t-BuOH(10%) could relieve the inhibition of ethanol on lipase LVK completely in the reaction system, and relieve deactivation of by-product glycerol on lipase LVK.