Supported enzymatic biocatalysts for continuous biodiesel production

Modern societies are confronted to an increasing requirement of bio-fuels resources not of fossil origin. Biodiesels, obtained by transesterification of trimesters, are offering a real alternative. Transesterification can be catalyzed by enzymes such as lipases. We present the synthesis and use of enzyme-based macrocellular foams operating in continuous flow conditions. These monolithic biohybrid catalysts present several advantages, confinment of the enzymes, low steric hindrance, optimized mass transport, a rather simplicity in regard of the column in-situ synthetic path. Those features, concerning enzyme-based catalyzed transesterification, high enzymatic activity addressed with unprecedented endurance of continuous catalysis.