The optimal conditions for the esterification of FFAs
from UVO were: 25C, 1.5:1 methanol/FFA molar ratio, stirring at
200 rpm, IOT ¼ 0.1 g Novozym 435 h/g FFAs (for example 0.1 g
Novozym 435 and 4 h for 4 g of FFAs) and absence of molecular
sieves. The reaction velocity can be increased and the reaction time
reduced using higher lipase amounts. These conditions were used
for the esterification of FFAs from the microalga N. gaditana. The ED
attained was 92.6 0.5%, similar to that obtained with FFAs from
UVO in these conditions (92.3%).