Application of factorial design to the study of an alcoholysis transformation promoted by cutinase immobilized on NaY zeolite and Accurel PA6

Fusarium solani pisi recombinant cutinase was immobilized on sodium form of zeolite Y (NaY) and polyamide Accurel PA6 and used to catalyze the alcoholysis reaction of butyl acetate with hexanol, in isooctane. The influence of some of the relevant parameters to the enzyme alcoholysis activity, such as temperature, buffer molarity and pH of the enzyme solution, hexanol and butyl acetate concentrations, were studied by means of a factorial design plan. By knowing the system response to the experimental design, the effects of each factor and its interactions were determined. In the case of the preparations with NaY zeolite, the main effects are due to temperature and buffer molarity, while pH and hexanol concentration have little effect on activity. In case of the cutinase adsorbed on Accurel PA6 the main effects are due to temperature, buffer molarity and pH of the enzyme solution.