Preparation of Structured Lipid Enriched with Medium Chain Triacylglycerol by Chemical Catalyzed Acidolysis of Coconut Oil: Optimized by Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Medium chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) have gained wide attention due to its ability to induce the residual glyceride lipolysis and improve fat absorption. In this study, structured lipid enriched with MCTs was synthesized by chemical catalyzed acidolysis of coconut oil with the mixture of caprylic acid (Cy) and capric acid (Ca) in a solvent-free system. Three catalysts were compared for their efficiency in the production of MCTs yield. The results indicated that the highest yield of MCTs was achieved by H₂SO₄. Effects of reaction variables on the acidolysis reaction were optimized using response surface methodology, and the optimum conditions were as follows: molar ratio of Cy to Ca 1:1, reaction time 4 h, molar ratio of MCFAs to coconut oil 12:1, catalyst loading 12 wt%, reaction temperature 110℃. Under these conditions, the obtained structured lipid contained 89.5% of MCFAs and at least 82.0% of MCTs. This paper provides a simple and low-cost method for preparing structured lipid enriched with MCTs.