Immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase in PVA-Alginate-sulfate beads for waste cooking oil treatment

Hydrolysis of waste cooking oil (WCO) using immobilized Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) was studied. PVA-Alginate-Sulfate beads were used to immobilize CRL. During the transesterification process, three parameters were considered: pH, temperature and enzyme concentration. The degree of hydrolysis as well as the rate of the hydrolysis were also determined. The morphology of the beads was analyzed using Fourier Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). It was found that the operating conditions, pH = 7.00, temperature = 50°C, and bead loading of 8 g, were most favourable for the hydrolysis of WCO by immobilized CRL to yield maximum fatty acid production and hydrolysis conversion. It was also found that the rate of hydrolysis by immobilized CRL is higher than that of free enzyme which is 96.50% and 68.75%, respectivel