METHOD OF ENZYME IMMOBILIZATION

Enzymes are immobilized by preparing an emulsion containing a continuous hydrophobic phase such as a triglyceride oil and a dispersed aqueous phase containing an amphiphilic enzyme such as lipase or phospholipase and carrier material that is partly dissolved and partly undissolved in the aqueous phase, and removing water from the aqueous phase until the phase turns into solid enzyme coated carrier particles. The undissolved part of the carrier material may be a material that is insoluble in water and oil, or a water soluble material in undissolved form because the aqueous phase is already saturated with the water soluble material. The aqueous phase may be formed with a crude lipase fermentation liquid containing fermentation residues and biomass that can serve as carrier materials. Immobilized lipase is useful for ester re-arrangement and de-acidification in oils. After a reaction, the immobilized enzyme can be regenerated for a subsequent reaction by adding water to obtain partial dissolution of the carrier, and with the resultant enzyme and carrier-containing aqueous phase dispersed in a hydrophobic phase evaporating water to again form enzyme coated carrier particles.