The recombinant lipase ofOphiostoma piceae (OPEr) is characterized by its prominent sterol esterase activity. The protein was immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles, giving four enzyme variants that have been tested in solvent-free transesterification of methyl oleate and sitostanol. The yields of stanol esters reached 85%, and the catalysts can be reused. Stanol esters were also obtained in a two-step cascade reaction; a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters was enzymatically synthesized from cooking oil wastes and then used for stanol transesterification. An 85% conversion was achieved in 2 h from the second cycle onward, maintaining the activity over 5 cycles. The biocatalysts can be safely used since they don't release toxic compounds for HeLa and A549 cell lines. These procedures comply with the principles of green chemistry and contribute to the sustainable production of these nutraceuticals from secondary raw materials, like the lipid fraction from industrial or agricultural residues.
Keywords: FAMEs; OPEr.; biocatalysis; enzymatic transesterification; phytosterols; sustainability; wastes.