Polyunsaturated Fatty Phosphatide Synthesis by Industrial Phospholipase A₂

Abstract

Phospholipids consist of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were synthesized by use of an industrial pancreatic phospholipase A₂. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) isolated from a commercial emulsifier, mixed fatty acids obtained from sardine oil, the concentrated sardine oil (EPA+DHA>60%), and 99.4% EPA were used as substrates. Optimum water content was found to 13.4%/system, and optimum ratio of LPC to mixed free fatty acids was 11:18 in weight base. When the substrate contained free EPA+DHA over 68%, the obtained phosphatidylcholine (PC) contained more than 31% of EPA+DHA. And when the substrate was 99.4% EPA, the obtained PC contained more than 45% of EPA, indicating that more than 90% of EPA was incorporated into sn-2 position of the PC molecule.