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4941734 
Journal Article 
Optimization of Wax Esters Production from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate and Oleyl Alcohol over Amberlyst 15 
Tapanwong, M; Punsuvon, V 
2011 
Yes 
Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
ISSN: 1934-8932 
David Publishing Company 
5 
11 (Nov 2011) 
1427-1434 
Wax esters were derived from long chain fatty acids and long chain alcohols with chain length of 12 carbons or more. These compounds have many potential applications in cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals and food industries. The present work focuses on the synthesis of wax esters using palm fatty acid distillate and oleyl alcohol catalyzed by Amberlyst 15. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a five-level, three-variable central composite design (CCD) was used to evaluate the interactive effects of synthesis, of amount of Amberlyst 15 catalyst (21.6-38.4% w/w), reaction time (18-102 min) and molar ratio (palm fatty acid distillate to oleyl alcohol, 1:1.16-1:2.84) on the percentage conversion of palm fatty acid distillate. The optimum conditions derived via RSM were: amount of catalyst 33% w/w, reaction time 95 minute and palm fatty acid to oleyl alcohol molar ratio 1:2.7. The actual experimental conversion was 81.52% under optimum condition, which compared well to the maximum predicted value of 80.50%. Analysis of the yield showed that at optimum condition, 80.54% wax esters were produced. 
Alcohol; cosmetics; Fatty acids; Catalysts; Esters