Enzymatic synthesis of lysophosphatidylcholine with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid from sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine in a solvent-free system.

Abstract

The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)-rich lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) was successfully synthesized by Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TL IM)-catalyzed esterification of glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) and n-3 PUFA-rich fatty acids in a solvent-free system. Effects of reaction temperature, enzyme loading and substrate mole ratio on the yield of LPC and incorporation of n-3 PUFA were evaluated. The acyl-specificities of five enzymes were tested for direct esterification of n-3 PUFA, and Lipozyme TL IM was found to be more effective than others for production of LPC with n-3 PUFA. Substrate mole ratio and reaction temperature, however, had no significant effect on the incorporation. The maximal yield of LPC was obtained under the following conditions: temperature 45°C, enzyme loading 15% by weight and substrate mole ratio (GPC/n-3 PUFA) 1:20. Furthermore, the composition of products were further investigated in the study. The 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-lysophosphatidylcholine (2-LPC) was predominant in the mixtures at early stages of reaction, whereas less increment of 2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-lysophosphatidylcholine (1-LPC) and PC was observed at later stages.