Esterification reaction catalyzed by lipase in W/O microemulsions and microemulsion-based organogels

Esterification reactions of heptanoic acid with heptanol, catalyzed by Candida lypolytical (CL) lipase, was studied in water - in - oil microemulsions formed by water/bis - (2 - ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate sodium(AOT)/isooctane. Kinetic studies showed that the reaction follows a Ping - Pong Pi Bi mechanism with inhibition by both substrates. The values of all apparent kinetic parameters were determined. Lipase has also been immobilized in gelatin - containing AOT microemulsion - based organogels(MBGs) without any loss of catalytic activity. These lipase - containing MBGs prove to be novel solid - phase catalysts for use in apolar organic solvents and have good storage stability. These lipase - containing MBGs retained its higher activity after many runs esterification reactions.