Abstract: The effect of pore size distribution and superficial properties of the ceramic foam was investigated. The nanopore size distribution of the ceramic foam was very suitable to immobilize lipase and had crucial effect on the catalytic efficiency of the immobilized lipase. After 1 h immobilization, the lipase activity per gram carrier on the ceramic foam was 1.33 times that on commercial diatomite, and the volume activity was 2.63 times. The protein loading was 45.36 mg/g, specific activity1215.39U/g, and activity recovery 41.2%. The batch operation stability of the immobilized lipase on the ceramic foam was good in the synthesis of ethyl acetate in an organic phase. The acetic acid conversion in the 5-batch continual operation was maintained at nearly 93% after 3 h reaction in each batch.

Key words: ceramic foam, lipase, enzyme immobilization, ester synthesis, carrier