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Mucor circinelloides whole-cells as a biocatalyst for the production of ethyl esters based on babassu oil

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Abstract

The intracellular lipase production by Mucor circinelloides URM 4182 was investigated through a step-by-step strategy to attain immobilized whole-cells with high lipase activity. Physicochemical parameters, such as carbon and nitrogen sources, inoculum size and aeration, were studied to determine the optimum conditions for both lipase production and immobilization in polyurethane support. Olive oil and soybean peptone were found to be the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, to enhance the intracellular lipase activity. Low inoculum level and poor aeration rate also provided suitable conditions to attain high lipase activity (64.8 ± 0.8 U g−1). The transesterification activity of the immobilized whole- cells was assayed and optimal reaction conditions for the ethanolysis of babassu oil were determined by experimental design. Statistical analysis showed that M. circinelloides whole-cells were able to produce ethyl esters at all tested conditions, with the highest yield attained (98.1 %) at 35 °C using an 1:6 oil-to-ethanol molar ratio. The biocatalyst operational stability was also assayed in a continuous packed bed reactor (PBR) charged with glutaraldehyde (GA) and Aliquat-treated cells revealing half-life of 43.0 ± 0.5 and 20.0 ± 0.8 days, respectively. These results indicate the potential of immobilized M. circinelloides URM 4182 whole-cells as a low-cost alternative to conventional biocatalysts in the production of ethyl esters from babassu oil.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo), CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Ensino Superior and CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science and Technology Institute, Federal University of Alfenas, Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Grazielle S. S. Andrade

  2. Engineering School of Lorena, University of São Paulo, 12602-810, Lorena, São Paulo, Brazil

    Ana K. F. Carvalho, Pedro C. Oliveira & Heizir F. de Castro

  3. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Belgrano y Pasaje Caseros CP, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina

    Cintia M. Romero

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  1. Grazielle S. S. Andrade
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  2. Ana K. F. Carvalho
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  3. Cintia M. Romero
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  4. Pedro C. Oliveira
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  5. Heizir F. de Castro
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Correspondence to Grazielle S. S. Andrade or Heizir F. de Castro.

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Andrade, G.S.S., Carvalho, A.K.F., Romero, C.M. et al. Mucor circinelloides whole-cells as a biocatalyst for the production of ethyl esters based on babassu oil. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 37, 2539–2548 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-014-1231-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-014-1231-4

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