Lipase-catalyzed glycerolysis of fish oil to obtain diacylglycerols

Abstract

Diacylglycerols (DAG) rich in n-3 residues were successfully produced by Novozym 435-catalysed glycerolysis of n-3 PUFA rich fish oil. Orbital and magnetic agitations were evaluated in order to minimize mass transfer limitations and thus assure the homogeneity of the reactant mixture. Different temperatures (65, 70, 75, 80, 85 and 90 °C) and speeds (300, 500, 700 and 900 rpm) were tested. Optimal conditions to obtain the highest amount of DAG were: 65 °C, with a substrate molar ratio of 3:1 (oil:glycerol), 500 rpm and 15% enzyme load after 2.5 h, with a yield of 60%.

Keywords

• diacylglycerols
• fish oil
• glycerolysis
• novozym 435