Mohd Azlan Kassim

Bio: Mohd Azlan Kassim is an academic researcher from Sunway University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sulfolane & COSMO-RS. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 11 publications receiving 97 citations. Previous affiliations of Mohd Azlan Kassim include Universiti Putra Malaysia & University of Malaya.

Optimization and kinetic study on the synthesis of palm oil ester using Lipozyme TL IM

Abstract: Enzymatic synthesis of palm oil esters (POE) was carried out via alcoholysis of palm oil (PO) and oleyl alcohol (OA) catalyzed by Lipozyme TL IM. The optimum reaction conditions were: temperature: 60 °C; enzyme load: 24.7 wt%; substrate ratio: 1:3 (PO/OA), impeller speed: 275 rpm and reaction time: 3 h. At the optimum condition, the conversion of POE was 79.54%. Reusability study showed that Lipozyme TL IM could be used for 5 cycles with conversion above 50%. The alcoholysis reaction kinetic follows the Ping-Pong Bi-Bi mechanism characterized by the Vmax, Km(PO), and Km(OA) values of 32.7 mmol/min, 0.3147 mmol/ml and 0.9483 mmol/ml, respectively. The relationship between initial reaction rate and temperature was also established based on the Arrhenius law.

Evaluation of 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide–Alkanolamine Sulfolane-Based System as Solvent for Absorption of Carbon Dioxide

Abstract: A mixture of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMIM][NTf2]) and monoethanolamine (MEA) were added into a dipolar aprotic solvent, sulfolane to form a nonaqueous physical-chemical absorbent for CO2 absorption. The CO2 solubility achieved highest value of 2.861 mol/kg in mixture of 30 wt % MEA + 70 wt % sulfolane (0B30M) at 303.15 K and 2004 kPa. Comprehensive data on effect of temperature, pressure, and composition on the multicomponent were measured and correlated with maximum average absolute relative deviation of 4.89%. Formation of biphasic layer was observed and it was analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) seed oil esters for cosmeceutical applications: process optimization using response surface methodology

Abstract: Esters were synthesized via the alcoholysis of red pitaya seed oil with oleyl alcohol catalyzed by immobilized lipase, Lipozyme RM IM. The effects of synthesis parameters, including temperature, time, substrate molar ratio and enzyme loading, on the yield and productivity of esters were assessed using a central composite response surface design. The optimum yield and productivity were predicted to be about 80.00% and 0.58 mmol h−1, respectively, at a synthesis temperature of 50.5 °C, time of 4 h, substrate molar ratio of 3.4 : 1 and with 0.17 g of enzyme. Esters were synthesized under the optimum synthesis conditions; it was found that the average yield and productivity were 82.48 ± 4.57% and 0.62 ± 0.04 mmol h−1, respectively, revealing good correspondence with the predicted values. The main esters were oleyl linoleate, oleyl oleate, oleyl palmitate and oleyl stearate. The synthesized esters exhibited no irritancy effects and their physicochemical properties showed their suitability for use as cosmeceutical ingredients.

Lipase-catalyzed process for biodiesel production: Enzyme immobilization, process simulation and optimization

Abstract: Transesterification of oil feedstocks using immobilized lipase (IL) is a promising process for biodiesel production. However, the running cost of this process is still higher than that of conversional chemical-catalyzed approaches. To address this challenge, both upstream and downstream processes have to be optimized. This review provides an overview of recent progresses in improving IL-catalyzed biodiesel production, focusing on mid- and down-stream processing such as immobilization of lipase, bioreactors development, process optimization, simulation and techno-economic evaluation. The immobilization of lipase is a costly process. Most of the commercial ILs are prepared by adsorption of free lipase on polymeric materials. However, to further reduce cost, works should be focused on developing cheap carriers and strengthening the interaction between enzyme and carrier but without significant loss of lipase activity. Running cost of lipase also can be reduced by improving its lifetime during transesterification. To achieve this goal, solvents can be used to prevent lipase leaching and eliminate the inhibitive effects of alcohol (usually methanol) and glycerol. Downstream processing includes important units to purify biodiesel products. In this part, works should be focused on minimizing energy consumption and waste effluents. A global process integration and optimization with economic evaluation also should be figured out to improve the economic feasibility of Il-catalyzed production of biodiesel.

Biocatalysis explained: from pharmaceutical to bulk chemical production

Abstract: Biocatalysis is one of the most promising technologies for the sustainable synthesis of molecules for pharmaceutical, biotechnological and industrial purposes. From the gram to the ton scale, biocatalysis is employed with success. This is underpinned by the fact that the global enzyme market is predicted to increase from $7 billion to $10 billion by 2024. This review concentrates on showing the strong benefits that biocatalysis and the use of enzymes can provide to synthetic chemistry. Several examples of successful implementations of enzymes are discussed highlighting not only high-value pharmaceutical processes but also low-cost bulk products. Thus, biocatalytic methods make the chemistry more environmentally friendly and product specific.