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Research Publications (Applied Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/213

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    Biodiesel synthesis from microalgae using immobilized Aspergillus niger whole cell lipase biocatalyst
    (Elsevier, 2016) Guldhe, Abhishek; Singh, Poonam; Kumari, Sheena K.; Rawat, Ismail; Permaul, Kugen; Bux, Faizal
    Whole cell lipase catalysis and microalgal feedstocks make overall biodiesel synthesis greener and sustainable. In this study, a novel approach of whole cell lipase-catalyzed conversion of Scenedesmus obliquus lipids was investigated for biodiesel synthesis. Microalgal biodiesel was characterized for its fuel properties. Optimization of process parameters for immobilized Aspergillus niger whole cell lipase-catalyzed biodiesel synthesis was carried out. Highest biodiesel conversion of 53.76% was achieved from S. obliquus lipids at 35 °C, methanol to oil ratio of 5:1 and 2.5% water content based on oil weight with 6 BSPs (Biomass support particles). Step-wise methanol addition was applied to account for methanol tolerance, which improved biodiesel conversion upto 80.97% and gave 90.82 ± 1.43% yield. Immobilized A. niger lipase can be used for 2 batches without significant loss in conversion efficiency. Most of the fuel properties of biodiesel met the specifications set by international standards.
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    Biocatalytic conversion of lipids from microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus to biodiesel using Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase
    (Elsevier, 2015-01-31) Guldhe, Abhishek; Singh, Bhaskar; Rawat, Ismail; Perumal, Kugen; Bux, Faizal
    Conversion of microalgal lipids using biocatalyst is a novel and greener approach to produce biodiesel. Free and immobilized lipases from Candida sp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens along with free lipases from porcine pancreas and wheat germ were screened for biodiesel conversion of Scenedesmus obliquus lipids. Among selected lipases from various sources immobilized lipase from P. fluorescens showed superior biodiesel conversion. Optimization of reaction parameters viz. lipase amount, temperature, methanol to oil molar ratio and water content was carried out using response surface methodology. Best conversion of 66.55% was achieved at 35 °C, methanol to oil ratio of 3:1 with 10% enzyme amount and 2.5% water content based on oil weight. To tackle methanol tolerance step-wise methanol addition was applied, which improved biodiesel conversion upto 90.81%. Immobilized P. fluorescens lipase can be used for 4 batches without much loss in conversion efficiency (>95%). Biodiesel produced has the cetane number of 51.77, Calorific value of 37.67 MJ kg−1. Most of the fuel properties of biodiesel met the specifications set by ASTM and EN standards.