Synthesis and Characterization of Biolubricant from POME Oil and Hepatopancreas Lipase from Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

POME polyol ester, an alternative biolubricant, was produced through transesterification using POME oil methyl ester and thrtmethylolpropane. in addition, hepatopancreas lipase from Pacific white shrimp was utilized as an enzymatic catalyst. The highest percentage of biolubricant conversion (85%) was obtained at 70 kUnit/10 g substrate, 3.15:1 substrate to TMP molar ratio, 3% water content, 30 degrees C reaction temperature, 250 rpm agitation speed and a reaction time of 18 and 21 h for the lab- and large- scale reactors, respectively. Gas chromatography (GC) and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were used to ensure the conversion of substrate into biolubricant. The POME polyol ester exhibited high viscosity index (152), high flash point (164 degrees C) and moderate oxidative stability. The biolubricant properties were within the recommended standard as specified by ISO VG32. Therefore, residual oil from POME as substrate of biodiesel and hepatopancreas lipase is a potential substrate and biocatalyst for the biolubricant industry.