Enzymatic preparation of diacylglycerols: lipase screening, immobilization, characterization and glycerolysis performance

BACKGROUNDS: Glycerolysis, with its advantages of readily available raw materials, simple operation, and mild reaction conditions, is a primary method for producing diacylglycerol (DAG). However, enzymatic glycerolysis faces challenges such as high enzyme costs, low reuse efficiency, and poor stability. The study aims to develop a cost-effective immobilized enzyme by covalently binding lipase to pre-activated carriers through the selection of suitable lipases, carriers, and activating agents. The optimization is intended to improve the glycerolysis reaction for efficient DAG production. RESULTS: Lipase CN-TL (from Thermomyces lanuginosus) was selected through glycerolysis reaction and molecular docking to catalyze the glycerolysis reaction. Optimizing the immobilization method by covalently binding CN-TL to poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE)-preactivated resin LX-201A resulted in the preparation of the immobilized enzyme TL-PEGDGE-LX. The immobilized enzyme retained over 90% of its initial activity after five consecutive reactions, demonstrating excellent reusability. The DAG content in the product remained at 84.8% of its initial level, further highlighting the enzyme's potential for reusability and its promising applications in the food and oil industries. CONCLUSIONS: The immobilized lipase TL-PEGDGE-LX, created by covalently immobilizing lipase CN-TL on PEGDGE-preactivated carriers, demonstrated broad applicability and excellent reusability. This approach offers an economical and convenient immobilization strategy for the enzymatic glycerolysis production of DAG. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.