Has the time finally come for green oleochemicals and biodiesel production using large-scale enzyme technologies? Current status and new developments.

With the growth of the chemical industry over the last decade, the need for cheaper (and more environmentally friendly) alternatives to petrochemicals of ever-increasing cost has grown steadily. Oleochemicals and biodiesel (OC/BD) are considered as green alternatives to petroleum derivatives, because they come from renewable oils and fats. OC/BD are currently produced by the traditional energy intensive chemical catalyzed methods, which have several economic and environmental drawbacks.

Improved Synthesis of α-Glycerol Monolaurate Using Lipozyme TL IM.

This study aimed to synthesize α-Glycerol Monolaurate from protected glycerol (glycerol 1,2-acetonide) using Lipozym TL IM as a catalyst. In the first step, transesterification of methyl laurate and glycerol 1,2-acetonide with Lipozyme TL IM produced 1,2-acetonide-3-lauryl glycerol. In the second step, deprotection of 1,2-acetonide-3-lauryl glycerol with Amberlyst-15 produced α-Glycerol Monolaurate.

Preparation of Ricinoleic Acid from Castor Oil:A Review.

Castor oil is a vegetable product extracted from Ricinus communis L (castor seed), which is primarily considered an important commercial value for the manufacturing of soaps, lubricants, coatings, etc. It is rich in hydroxylated fatty acids (ricinoleic acid, 89-92%) and is widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, oleochemical, and agricultural industries. This oil has also been confirmed as a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, and antiherpetic agents, due to the ricinoleic acid having functional groups, such as -COOH, -OH, and -C=C-.

Preparation of Fatty Acid and Monoglyceride from Vegetable Oil.

Fatty acid and monoglyceride are examples of lipid compounds that can be founded in vegetable oils. The fatty acid has an important role in the human diet, lubricants, detergents, cosmetics, plastics, coatings, and resin. Monoglyceride has a wide function in the food industry in particular as natural emulsifier, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, antioxidant, and antibacterial.

The 1-monolaurin inhibit growth and eradicate the biofilm formed by clinical isolates of .

Background: Biofilm is one of the causes of antibiotic resistance. One of the biofilm-producing bacteria is which has been proven to infect long-term users of urinary catheters and implant devices. The 1-monolaurin compound has been known to have an antimicrobial effect.