-The performance of loofa-immobilized Rhizopus oryzae (as a whole-cell biocatalyst) in the synthesis of methyl oleate was evaluated using oleic acid as a model substrate. The activities of the cell-bound lipase in terms of the esterification and hydrolysis reactions were found to be higher for the immobilized cells as compared with those of the free cells. The time to reach equilibrium for methyl oleate synthesis was 12 h in the presence of n-hexane (hexane:oleic acid ratio 9:1(v/v)), and the yield was 80%. In the absence of solvent, equilibrium was reached after 48 h and the yield was only 30%. The moisture repellency and the hydrophilic properties of loofa sponge make this natural fiber a good candidate for cell-enzyme immobilization, especially for lipases as the interfacial enzyme.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.