Temperature lauric acid esterification

Enzyme activity was determined as the initial rates in esterification reactions between lauric acid and propanol at a molar ratio of 1 3, a temperature of 60°C, and an enzyme concentration of 5 wt% in relation to the substrates. At the beginning of the reaction, samples containing the mixture of lauric acid and propanol were collected and the lauric acid content was determined by titration with 0.04 N NaOH. After the addition of the enzyme to the substrates, the mixture was kept at 60°C for 15 min. Then, lauric acid consumption was determined. 

The objective of the present work was to study the synthesis of monolaurin by direct lipase-catalyzed esterification between glycerol and lauric acid without any solvent or surfactant. The effects of lauric acid/ glycerol molar ratio, enzyme concentration, and temperature were studied using an experimental design. The reuse of the commercial immobilized lipase, to reduce the process cost, was also investigated. 

Figure 8.7 Concentration and temperature profiles for the esterification of lauric acid with 2-ethylhexanol with an equilibrium-based model. Top Pressure 0.3bar. Seven reactive stages, acid feed on 3 and 5 with 0.5 split, alcohol feed on 7.

Figure 8.15 Dual esterification of lauric acid with methanol and 2-ethyl-hexanol liquid concentration, reaction rate and temperature profiles.

---