Optimization and kinetic study of immobilized lipase-catalyzed synthesis of ethyl lactate

Enzymatic synthesis of ethyl lactate catalyzed by immobilized lipase has been investigated. The reaction variables (including the molar ratio of ethanol to acid, total substrate amount, temperature, reaction time and rotation speed) were selected in accordance with the Plackett-Burman design and were further optimized via response surface methodology. The molar ratio of ethanol to acid, total substrate amount and reaction time were screened out as significant variables for the optimization study. A 20-run, full-factorial, central composite design was used to construct the statistical model and the optimal conditions obtained were as follows: molar ratio of ethanol to acid of 8.3:1, total substrate amount of 0.4 g, reaction time of 26.87 h with temperature of 55 C and rotation speed of 150 rpm. Under the optimal conditions, the yield of ethyl lactate was up to 24.32%; close to the 25.13% obtained using the commercial lipase, Novozym 435. Due to the low cost and simple immobilization process, the lipase prepared in the present work could have great potential in enzymatic applications. Additionally, a kinetic model with inhibition by both ethanol and lactic acid following a ping-pong bi-bi mechanism was proposed.