Enzyme-catalyzed modification of oilseed materials to produce eco-friendly products

Novel products produced from seed oil materials (TAG, phospholipids, and minor components such as tocopherols, sterols, stanols, and fatty acyl esters of the latter two) by enzyme-mediated purification or chemical modification are reviewed. The primary focus is on "value-added products" of current and potential use (particularly in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries) that require the selectivity of enzymes and mild operating conditions, the latter being beneficial for polyunsaturated and oxygenated acyl groups. The paper briefly reviews the biochemistry of enzymes in lipid modification (lipases, phospholipases, and lipoxygenases) and discusses and assesses the current and future applications, current state of the art, and areas for future research for the following enzyme-mediated processes: isolation of polyunsaturated and oxygenated FFA; formation of structured TAG as nutraceuticals; formation of MAG, saccharide-FA esters, and other polyhydric alcohol ester as emulsifiers and surfactants; isolation and/or modification of tocopherols and sterols as antioxidants; formation of hydroperoxides as chemical intermediates; and modification of phospholipids for use in liposomes.