One-step transesterification reaction using methanol-stable lipase for omega-3 fatty acid ethyl ester production

Abstract

We investigated transesterification activity of methanol-stable lipase from Staphylococcus haemolyticus L62. Lipase L62 transesterified olive oil and menhaden oil using various alcohols including methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol. Based on the high stability of lipase L62 toward alcohols, high molar ratios (3:1 or 6:1) of alcohol to oil were employed in the reaction systems. Lipase L62 produced fatty acid esters efficiently by one-step transesterification. Reaction conditions for production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters were further optimized. Lipase L62 produced those esters efficiently when 30–40 % water content was present in the reaction medium. The lipase L62 conversion yield was as high as 92 % for FAME and omega-3 ethyl ester production. These results indicate that lipase L62 is a suitable catalyst for producing an omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate in the pharmaceutical industry as well as for producing biodiesel in the bio-refinery industry.