Batch and semicontinuous production of l-ascorbyl oleate catalyzed by CALB immobilized onto Purolite® MN102

Abstract l -Ascorbyl oleate is recognized as efficient liposoluble antioxidant and biosurfactant which can be synthesized by using immobilized lipases as catalysts in organic media. However, development of economical production process is still a challenge, particularly in (semi)continuous systems. Hereby, we present application of novel immobilized lipase preparation, lipase B from Candida antarctica hydrophobically adsorbed onto styrene divinylbenzene based support, for the synthesis of l -ascorbyl oleate in batch bioreactor (BB) and fluidized bed bioreactor (FBB) with recirculation of reaction medium. Reaction kinetics was described by Ping Pong bi bi mechanism with low acyl donor inhibition. Considerably higher reaction rates (∼40%) were accomplished in FBB. Hydrodynamic study revealed that reaction is kinetically controlled and unhindered external and internal mass transfer was enabled in both systems. However, much higher shear stress occurred in BB (10.46 Pa) comparing to FBB (5 × 10 −2  Pa). After 12 consecutive reaction cycles lasting 24 h, 23.13 g of product per gram of biocatalyst was synthesized in a FBB. Within this study, usage of new immobilized enzyme in semicontinuous system enabled high reaction rates and satisfying operational stability in the synthesis of l -ascorbyl oleate, offering good prospect for further process development.