Evaluation of lipase from Burkholderia cepacia immobilized in alginate beads and application in the synthesis of banana flavor (isoamyl acetate)

The alginate in bead forms was used to immobilize Burkholderia cepacia lipase. The microencapsulation technique for lipase entrapment was a 2% (w/v) of sodium alginate concentration prepared by ionic gelation using calcium chloride as the cross-linking agent in a gelling solution. The beads were tested in different solvents as acetone, chloroform, toluene, n-hexane, and n-heptane. Over a 5-day period (120 h), the n-heptane maintained the reasonable (excellent) residual activity of the immobilized lipase. Morphological studies on reused beads and new beads were performed. All beads for isoamyl acetate yield were tested. The reused bead leaches substantially, with a maximum ester yield of 92%. With modifications in the molar ratios, the synthesis of banana flavor (isoamyl acetate) was performed in both the alcohol per acid and acid per alcohol excesses.