Production of a Biolubricant by Enzymatic Esterification: Possible Synergism between Ionic Liquid and Enzyme

Abstract

The possible replacement of lubricants with fossil-fuel sources and the manufacture of biolubricants with more beneficial features were studied. Oleic acid and isoamyl alcohol were reacted with an enzyme in an ionic liquid. During the reaction conventional as well as microwave heating was applied. After the experimental determination of the optimal reaction parameters, it was unexpectedly found that a synergistic effect occurred by applying ionic-liquid and microwave-heat treatment simultaneously. The enzyme exhibited a much higher level of activity than the value expected based on the measurements carried out separately by using an ionic liquid instead of an organic solvent and microwave-heat treatment or a conventional method. In the experiments with recycled enzyme it was found that ionic liquid maintained the enzyme more effectively, as if it was immobilized by it: the enzyme managed to maintain its activity and recycling ability.