ABSTRACT
Esterification of glycerol with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was carried out in hexane. Lipase from Rhizomucor miehei provided a high degree of esterification (80%) in 8 h at 50 degrees C when used at 15% (w/w) in a system containing a 1:2 molar ratio of glycerol to free fatty acids. Esterification levels >80% were obtained in 8 h at 40 degrees C with 15% (w/w) lipase from Candida antarctica at the same molar ratio of reactants. The extent of esterification of CLA was >90% after 4 h of reaction at 50 degrees C with a 5% (w/w) loading of either R. miehei or C. antarctica lipase, together with a 1:1 molar ratio of substrates. Both enzymes incorporated the original CLA as acylglycerol residues in primarily 1,3-diacylglycerol and 1-monoacylglycerol. The CLA-rich acylglycerols can be employed as emulsifiers or as substitutes for natural fats and oils.
