Abstract
Zeolite Beta-coated stainless steel supports with gradient porosity are employed as filter-panels for lipase encapsulation. Enzyme encapsulation on the stainless steel porous discs is achieved via vacuum infiltration. Subsequently, two lipase-encapsulated zeolite Beta-coated stainless steel discs are attached using an adhesive. The zeolite Beta layer on the stainless steel discs largely prevents lipase leaching in comparison to the stainless steel discs without a zeolite layer. The activity of the lipase-encapsulated, attached zeolite Beta-coated stainless steel porous discs depends on the thickness of the zeolite Beta layer. It is shown that the biocatalytic performance of the lipase-encapsulated, attached zeolite Beta-coated stainless steel supports with a zeolite Beta layer thickness of approximate to 0.7-1 m is better than the lipase-encapsulated, attached zeolite Beta-coated stainless steel supports with a zeolite Beta layer thickness of approximate to 2-3 m in the lipase-catalyzed transesterification of vinyl propionate with 1-butanol using n-hexane as solvent.