Lipase-catalysed transesterification of coconut oil with fusel alcohols in a solvent-free system

The conversion of coconut oil and fusel alcohols, the sustainable and low-cost natural materials, to valuable products through Lipozyme TL IM-catalysed transesterification was investigated in a solvent-free system. Flavour esters, especially the octanoic acid esters (ethyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and (iso)amyl octanoate), were formed during the transesterification reactions. The reaction parameters were optimised as follows: molar ratio of 3.0:1 (alcohol to oil), enzyme loading of 15% wt/wt, reaction temperature of 23 °C, shaking speed of 130 rpm, and reaction time of 20 h. Further, the operational stability of Lipozyme TL IM was improved through washing with solvents, after which the enzyme could be continuously used for at least 100 h within 5 batches’ reactions without significant loss of activity. The results indicate that coconut oil and fusel alcohols can be effectively converted to valuable flavour esters through the Lipozyme TL IM-catalysed transesterification.