An efficient and stable magnetic nano-biocatalyst for biodiesel synthesis in recyclable ionic liquids

The process of jatropha oil transesterification was studied for biodiesel production. Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) immobilized on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane functionalized magnetic Fe3O4 employed as a biocatalyst. confirmed by scanning electron microcopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and confocal laser microscopy (CLSM) techniques. efficient synthesis in ionic liquids using RML demonstrated. Fifteen kinds based different alkyl chain lengths the methyl imidazolium cation ([C2MIM], [C4MIM], [C8MIM], [C12MIM], [C16MIM]) combined with [NTf2], [N(CN)2], [PF6] or [BF4] anions were assayed reaction media producing biodiesel. highest synthetic activity appeared [BMIM][PF6], which is more than five times higher free enzyme. enzyme catalytic remained 60% even after nano-biocatalyst liquid had been reused 5 48-h cycle. In addition, exhibited excellent storage stability almost no decrease storing at − 20 °C 98 days.