Mathematical Modelling of Enzymatic Butanolysis of Vegetable Oils

Abstract

Lipozyme catalysed alcoholysis of castor or coconut oils by n-butanol has been mathematically modelled. In addition to the butyl esters of the fatty acids, the reaction produces diglycerides which further get converted to monoglycerides. The model considers the competitive binding of the triglycerides and the diglycerides to the enzyme. The Michaelis-Menten constants for both steps were estimated from the experimental data. Increasing n-butanol concentration inhibited the rate of the process.

Key Words:

• Alcoholysis
• Vegetable oils
• Mathematical model
• n-butanol inhibition
• Michaelis-Menten constants
• competitive substrates