Biodiesel has emerged as a promising renewable alternative to fossil-derived diesel, driven by increasing environmental concerns and the need for sustainable energy sources. Among the various production routes, enzymatic transesterification catalyzed by lipases offers significant advantages, including mild reaction conditions, high selectivity, and reduced formation of by-products. However, the industrial application of free lipases is limited by their high cost, low operational stability, and lack of reusability. In this context, enzyme immobilization has gained considerable attention as an effective strategy to enhance lipase performance and economic feasibility. This review provides an overview of recent advances in lipase immobilization techniques for biodiesel production. Different immobilization methods are discussed, as well as support materials such as polymers, nanomaterials, and hybrid structures. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives are outlined, aiming to guide the development of more robust and cost-effective biocatalytic systems for large-scale biodiesel production.
7 January 2025 in International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology