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Enzymatic preparation of polyethylene glycol esters of castor oil fatty acids and their surface‐active properties
Author(s) -
Ghosh M.,
Bhattacharyya D. K.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of surfactants and detergents
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.349
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1558-9293
pISSN - 1097-3958
DOI - 10.1007/s11743-998-0049-8
Subject(s) - ricinoleic acid , castor oil , chemistry , polyethylene glycol , lipase , peg ratio , organic chemistry , candida antarctica , rhizomucor miehei , fatty acid , ethylene glycol , catalysis , surface tension , triacylglycerol lipase , dodecanol , peg 400 , chromatography , enzyme , physics , finance , quantum mechanics , economics
This study concerns the preparation and evaluation of nonionic surfactants prepared from polyethylene glycol (PEG) esters of castor oil fatty acid, a source of hydroxy fatty acid. A lipase‐catalyzed esterification reaction has been employed to prepare PEG esters of hydroxy acid to overcome problems associated with chemical processes. Castor oil fatty acid (85% ricinoleic acid) was mixed with PEG of different molecular weight. Rhizomucor miehei lipase was added as catalyst (10% level) and the reaction was continued at 60°C under 2 mm Hg pressure for 360 min. Conversion of PEG to esters was in the range of 86–94%, depending on the molecular size of PEG. The products were isolated and examined for surface activity by surface tension measurement. Surface tension values measured at 25°C were about 36–37 dynes/cm.