Synthesis of Wax Esters From Palm Kernel Oil Catalyzed by Lipase

The lipase catalyzed reaction of wax esters synthesis using palm kernel oil and long chain alcohol (oleyl alcohol) as substrates and lipase lipozim as catalist was carried out. The effects of various reaction parameters such as reaction time, temperature, amount of enzyme, molar ratio of substrates and various organic solvents were investigated. The optimum reaction condition for wax ester synthesis is a mixture of palm kernel oil and oleyl alcohol with molar ratio of (3:1), with 1.5% (w/v) lipozyme, at 40 oC for 7-10h, and with hexane as the best solvent. Percentage yields of wax esters obtained at these optimum reaction conditions was 84.4 ± 2.85 %.