Enhancing Activity by Supercritical CO2 Mediated Immobilization of Lipase on Mesocellular Foam in Preparation of Hexyl Laurate

Hexyl laurate is employed in several cosmetics having great demand. It could be synthesized catalytically like a “natural” perfume using a lipase. The use of mesocellular foam silica (MCF) for immobilization of lipases could be made using supercritical CO2 as a medium to enhance its activity in comparison with the normal techniques. Three different catalysts were supported on MCF such as Candida antractica B (CALB), Amano AYS, and Porcine pancreas (PPL), and their activity was evaluated in the preparation of hexyl laurate from lauric acid and hexyl alcohol. CALB@ MCF was the best among all. A systematic study was conducted to assess the effects of different operating parameters. It was ternary complex mechanism with inhibition by hexyl alcohol. The enzyme was reusable and the process is green.