PREPARATION OF FATTY ACID ALKYL ESTERS FROM MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED OIL USING CANDIDA ANTARTICA LIPASE

摘要

The present invention relates to fatty acid esters from Moringa oleifera oil and the process for the preparation thereof. Described herein are several methods which include: (1)base-catalyzed and acid catalyzed transesterification of Moringa oleifera seed oil, (2) in situ transesterification of Moringa oleifera seed oil using acid catalyst, (3) transesterification of Moringa oleifera seed oil using free enzyme, (4) transesterification of Moringa oleifera seed oil using immobilized enzymes employing sol-gel method and carbon nanoparticles immobilization technique. The immobilization and recycling methods for enzyme catalyst are described, in order to allow re-use of said catalyst in subsequent transesterification of Moringa oleifera seed oil. Such methods would lead to alternative options for fatty acid alkyl ester production resulting in operationally easier and more efficient production routes that can generate less by-products and wastes and requires less energy.