Synthesis of symmetrical structured triglycerides via a bottom-up process

Abstract

The synthesis of symmetrical structured triglycerides (STG) through a bottom-up approach was previously shown to produce 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl glycerol in significant quantities. This solvent-free lipase-catalyzed process, consisting of a low-temperature (40 °C) esterification step with glycerol dosing followed by a high-temperature (60 °C) esterification step, was further investigated in the production of symmetrical medium-and-long-chain triglycerides (MLCT). By replacing oleic acid with capric acid in the first step or the palmitic acid by either capric acid or lauric acid in the second step, the effects of free fatty chain length and sequence of fatty acid addition on STG production were established. These produced 1,3-dicaproyl-2-oleoyl glycerol, 1,3-dioleoyl-2-caproyl glycerol, and 1,3-dioleoyl-2-lauroyl glycerol at concentrations of 36.98 g, 36.77 g, and 37.08 g per 100 g of triglycerides respectively after 72 h at an overall FFA1:FFA2:Glycerol of 2:1:1 and 4 g Novozyme 435 per 100 g reactants, without the purification of intermediates and products. The sequence of fatty acid addition had the most significant effect as purer STG products can be obtained when the medium chain fatty acid is introduced in the first step. As the process was carried out without solvents, the STG produced are appropriate for functional food or nutraceutical applications.