Abstract
A rapid and eco-friendly method, using ultrasound power, was
successfully employed to hydrolyze Crambe oil using lipase enzymes
directly from castor seeds, in oil-free and in natura forms. A yield of
86% conversion of triglycerides into free fatty acids (FFA) was
achieved in 5 minutes using in natura seeds and 73% of conversion when
performing the reaction with oil-free seeds. The operational conditions
of ultrasound power, mass ratio of buffer solution and oil, catalyst,
and total substrate were evaluated using a central composite rotatable
design (CCRD). The hydrolysis yield was optimized by Response Surface
Methodology. The optimum conditions were approximately 70% of
ultrasound power (350 W), 1.79 buffer solution/oil mass ratio, and 0.25
catalyst/substrate mass ratio for in natura seeds. For the oil-free
seeds, the optimal conditions found were 68% (340 W) of ultrasound
power, 1.67 buffer solution/oil mass ratio, and 0.06 catalyst/substrate
mass ratio. Mathematical modeling was applied to the experimental
kinetic data, and it was possible to predict FFA concentration values
from independent experiments.