A kinetic model for the decrease in lipase activity of Rhizopus arrhizus and Penicillium cyclopium mycelia in organic media

The decrease in Lipase activity of Rhizopus arrhizus and Penicillium cyclopium mycelia (RAM and PCM) were studied in alkanes, ethers and chloroalkanes. The two biocatalysts showed similar behaviour in organic media, although RAM was slightly more stable. The kinetic model obtained indicated that the decrease in activity followed a succession of two first-order reactions. Both RAM and PCM were more stable in hydrophobic solvents. These two mycelia were used to synthesize N-octyl-myristylamide; yield of the amide was linked in a linear relationship to the average activity of biocatalyst in the solvent employed.