Continuous interesterification of butteroil and conjugated linoleic acid in a tubular reactor packed with an immobilized lipase

Abstract

Modified milkfats were produced via interesterification (acidolysis) reactions of butteroil and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in a packed bed reactor containing an immobilized lipase preparation from Candida antarctica. The rate expression for the interesterification reaction is of the generalized Michaelis–Menten form. Significant enrichment of butteroil in CLA residues was accomplished at reactor space times (fluid residence times) of 2–4 h at 40–60 °C, but the optimum operating temperature was ca. 50 °C. Approximately 80–90% of the free CLA fed to the reactor can be converted to its esterified form.