Preparation of mono- and diacylglycerols by enzymatic esterification of glycerol with conjugated linoleic acid in hexane

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.