Interesterification of Triglyceride and Fatty Acid in a Microaqueous Reaction System Using Lipase-Surfactant Complex

Abstract

Lipase-surfactant complex (LSC) was prepared by mixing an aqueous solution of lipase (EC 3.1. 1.3)derived from Pseudomonas sp. and an ethanol solution of sorbitan mono-stearate. The LSC was used to catalyze the interesterification of triglyceride and fatty acid in a solvent system with hexane or in a solvent-free system. The optimum reaction temperature for the LSC was found to be 50°C. The LSC also had catalytic activity in a solvent-free system at 80-100°C. The optimum added water content at which the enzyme had maximum activity was found to be 100 mmol H₂O/(g-LSC) for various substrates and enzyme concentrations. This shows that the amount of water required depends on the amount of enzyme. Ethanol and diethylene glycol could be used as water substitutes, and the optimum hydroxyl group content was 100 mmol [OH] /(g-LSC).