Production of biodiesel from microalgae with Rhizopus oryzae immobilized cells

Production of biodiesel fuel by methanolysis Dunalliela Salina microalgae oil by use of enzymatic cells of Rhizopus oryzae (R. oryzae) which immobilized within biomass support particles (BSPs) of polyurethane as a biocatalyst were investigated in this research. Methanolysis was carried out with stepwise additions of methanol by using BSPimmobilized cells, in the presence of 0.1M phosphate buffer (pH=6.8). After purification the biodiesel with filtration the result of the reaction, 58.74% conversion of free fatty acids to biodiesel obtainrd. To obtain a higher efficiency, addition of more methanol and solvent to the environment of the reaction was tested. The amount of methanol in the reaction is important because extra methanol cause the immobilized cells lose their activities. the reaction with extra solvent (acetone) and extra methanol to observe the effect of this two parameters was tested and 71.97% and 90.03% Conversion of free fatty acids to biodiesel was obtained respectively. When methanol with molar ratio 2:1 added, 66.7% conversion reached in production of biodiesel. According to the yield of reaction consequent that this way can used in production of biodiesel without any especial process for purification

Keywords:

Biodiesl , Dunalliela Salina , Rhizopus oryzae , immobilized enzyme