LIPASE-CATALYZED SYNTHESIS OF PARTIAL GLYCERIDE

Mucor miehei (IM 20) and Candida antarctica (SP 382) lipases were used for esterification of free fatty acids in the absence of organic solvent or transesterification of fatty acid methyl esters in hexane with isopropylidene glycerols. Acid catalyzed cleavage of the isopropylidene groups resulted in the formation of monoacyl glycerol (MAG) and diacyl glycerol (DAG). Both oleic (18:1 n-9) and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA (20:5 n-3) were successfully incorporated into glycerides. Total acyl donor conversion ranged from 46.9 - 96.9% with MAG content of up to 88.5%.