Synthesis of Ibuprofen Monoglyceride Using Novozym®435: Biocatalyst Activation and Stabilization in Multiphasic Systems

This work was focused on the enzymatic esterification of glycerol and ibuprofen at high concentrations in two triphasic systems composed toluene+ibuprofene (apolar) or glycerol–water (polar) liquid phases, a solid phase with industrial immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica named Novozym®435 (N435) acting as biocatalyst. Based preliminary study, concentration enzyme set 30 g·L−1 stirring speed 720 r.p.m to reduce external mass transfer limitations. To obtain more information reaction system, it conducted wide range temperatures (50 80 °C) initial (20–100 g·L−1, that is, 97 483 mM). Under these experimental conditions, transfer, according Mears criterion (Me = 1.47–3.33·10−4 << 0.15), fast, presenting no limitation system productivity, regardless presence water 50 °C. Considering is porous ion-exchange resin, limitations due internal can exist, depending values effectiveness factor (η). It varied 0.14 0.23 °C 0.32–1 mm particle diameter absence water, same ranges, 0.40 0.66 7.4% w/w phase. Thus, evident some occurs inside pores, while polar increases productivity 3–4 fold. During kinetic several models were proposed for both reacting systems, without first-order biocatalyst deactivation, their fit all relevant data led observation best model reversible hyperbolic deactivation anhydrous similar model, but added zero time. fact sharp contrast use N435 water-glycerol monophasic where progressive dissolution media, together notable observed.