LIPASE-CATALYZED TRIGLYCERIDE HYDROLYSIS IN ORGANIC-SOLVENT

An investigation of lipases from Rhizomucor miehei, Candida rugosa and porcine pancreas revealed that these enzymes hydrolyzed triglycerides in an organic solvent system. The presence of secondary amines, i.e., diethylamine, N-methylbutylamine, or the tertiary amine, triethylamine, greatly increased the extent of hydrolysis. The lipolysis of tallow took place under mild conditions, e.g., room temperature, moderate shaking and within 20 hr. At 45-degrees-C, complete hydrolysis of tallow was obtained in 6 hr. Vegetable oils and a fish oil (cod liver oil) were also hydrolyzed at 20-degrees-C by R. miehei lipase in the presence of N-methylbutylamine for 20 hr. The lipases were recovered for reuse with some loss of activity. Optimum yields of free fatty acids were obtained by using R. miechei lipase as catalyst.