A multi-component approach for co-immobilization of lipases on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles: improving biodiesel production from waste cooking oil.

The capability of multi-component reactions in rapid immobilization of enzymes was considered for co-immobilization of Thermomyces lanuginous lipase (TLL) and Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) [TLL: CALB]; Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) and CALB [RML: CALB] on amine-functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2). Immobilization of different ratios of lipases was performed within 3 h under mild conditions; producing specific activity ranging from 29 to 35 U/mg for TLL:CALB and 21–34 U/mg for RML:CALB. The co-immobilized derivatives showed improved co-solvent and thermal stability compared to the corresponding free enzymes. All the derivatives were also used to catalyze the transesterification of waste cooking oil with methanol to produce biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters). Response surface method (RSM) and a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) were used to study the effects of different factors on the FAME yield. Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2-RML-CALB and Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2-TLL-CALB had maximum FAME yields of 99–80%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]