Optimization of Biodiesel Production Catalyzed by Fungus Cells Immobilized in Fibrous Supports

A circulating packed-bed bioreactor system using fibrous nonwoven fabric as the immobilization matrix was suitable for simultaneous cell growth and immobilization of Rhizopus oryzae fungus cells, which could be used for lipase-mediated production of biodiesel by methanolysis of soybean oil. Response surface methodology and 5-level-5-factor central composite rotatable design was proved to be a powerful tool for the optimization of methanolysis conditions catalyzed by immobilized R. oryzae whole cell biocatalyst. A quadratic polynomial regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the yield and the significant reaction parameters. The analysis confirmed that water content, molar ratio of methanol to oil, cell weight, and reaction time were the significant factors affecting the yield at a 95% confidence level (p < 0.05). Under the optimum condition at 10.97% (w/w) water content, 0.64 molar ratio of methanol to oil, 2.25% (w/w) cell weight, and 23.3 h reaction time, the predicted value of yield was 72.6%. Validation experiments with yields of 70.77 +/- 2.46% verified the availability and the accuracy of the model.