Continuous synthesis of glyceryl ferulate using immobilized Candida antarctica lipase

Glyceryl ferulate was synthesized through condensation of ferulic acid and glycerol at 50°C in glycerols with different water contents using an immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica in a batch reactor, and condensation in the glycerol with a 7.5% (w/w) water content was shown to be the favorite. The solubility of ferulic acid was higher at higher temperature in glycerol with a lower water content. The viscosity was lower at higher temperature for the glycerol with a higher water content. The condensation was carried out using a batch reactor at a temperature from 50°C to 90°C. These observations indicated that the condensation at 80°C in the glycerol with a 7.5% (w/w) water content was the most adequate for continuously synthesizing glyceryl ferulate. A reactor system was constructed for the continuous synthesis and was steadily operated to realize a productivity of 430 kg/(m³-reactor(day) without any decrease in the conversion for at least 6 days.