Evaluation of Rhizopus oryzae Lipase for the Determination of Regiodistribution in Triacylglycerols with Medium Chain Fatty Acids

Abstract

AbstractThe nutritional profile and rheological behaviors of lipids is both due to fatty acid composition and regiodistribution on external and internal positions of triacylglycerol. Actual methods for regiodistribution analysis having some restrictions, there is still a need for investigating a safe, simple and environmentally friendly method for the sn‐2 position analysis that could especially be used for the analysis of fats containing medium and short chain fatty acids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the 1,3‐selectivity and typoselectivity of Rhizopus oryzae lipase in the presence of short/medium chain fatty acids in partial hydrolysis conditions used for regiodistribution analysis. Structured triacylglycerols containing eight‐carbon‐chain length fatty acids in the sn‐2 position were chemically synthesized using DCC/DMAP coupling agent and purification steps by flash‐chromatography. The final product showed very high purity and was used as the substrate for 1,3‐selectivity evaluation. Typoselectivity was assessed by investigating partial hydrolysis of equimolar blends of homogeneous TAG. This study confirmed the 1,3‐selectivity of Rhizopus oryzae lipase in the hydrolysis conditions used, and revealed that this lipase was less influenced by fatty acids chain length than pancreatic lipase. Considering this, Rhizopus oryzae lipase appeared to be a good candidate for regiodistribution analysis of fats containing medium and short chain fatty acids.