Screening of immobilized lipases using rotating bed reactors

The use of enzymes to catalyze the synthesis of organic compounds is an efficient and widely applied science due to the high selectivity and specificity of these biocatalysts. A frequently employed group of biocatalysts is lipases. These enzymes are used to catalyze important steps within the processing of food, production of biofuels as well as in the synthesis of fine chemicals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Reactions mediated by lipases include the hydrolysis of lipids into fatty acids, and the synthesis of esters and amides.

The rotating bed reactor is a tool for screening of biocatalysts and biocatalytic reactions. The RBR consists of a hollow, cylinder, packed with immobilized enzyme that is held in place by filters. This tool is designed to preserve resin integrity and eliminate the need for filtration of the reaction solution.

As the RBR is spun in substrate solution, the solution is repeatedly pushed through the packed bed within by the centrifugal forces created by the rotary movement. This allows soluble substrate to do multiple passages through the bed, leading to fast and convenient reaction screenings.

The process proved fast and simple, as efficient sampling and monitoring of the process was achieved without filtration steps, by keeping the immobilized catalyst confined inside the RBR.

The formation of propyl laurate over time for esterification reactions catalyzed by immobilized lipases CalB (lipase B from Candida antarctica), RM (lipase from Rhizomucor miehei) PS (lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia). In the file you can also see data for CalA (lipase A from Candida antarctica), TL (lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosa), and CR (lipase from Candida rugosa).