Interesterification Conditions Catalyzed by Lipase in Microemulsion Systems

Abstract

The interesterification of olive oil with palmitic acid catalyzed by Rhizopus delemar lipase was investigated in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) microemulsion systems. The maximal reaction rate was obtained at a buffer pH of 6.0-6.5. The reaction rate also attained a maximum at a W(= [H2O]/[AOT]) value of 2-5, an AOT concentration at 25 mM and a palmitic acid concentration of 125 mM. The molar fraction of the interesterified product 1,3-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl glycerol (POP) in the olive oil was enhanced from 2.8 to 23.1 mol% after 24 h of the reaction.