Bioimprinted lipase-catalyzed synthesis of medium- and long-chain structured lipids rich in docosahexaenoic acid for infant formula

Medium- and long-chain structured lipids (MLSLs) rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were obtained in shorter reaction time by acidolysis of single-cell oil (DHASCO) from Schizochytrium sp. with caprylic acid (CA) using a lipase bioimprinted with fatty acids as a catalyst. The conditions for preparation of the bioimprinted lipase for the acidolysis reaction were firstly optimized and the activity of the obtained lipase was 2.17 times higher than that of the non-bioimprinted. The bioimprinted lipase was then used as a catalyst and the reaction conditions were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the equilibrium could be achieved in 4 h, and the total and sn-1,3 CA contents in the product were 29.18% and 42.34%, respectively, and the total and sn-2 DHA contents were 46.26% and 70.12%, respectively. Such MLSLs rich in sn-1,3 CA and sn-2 DHA are beneficial for DHA absorption, and thus have potential for use in infant formula.