Solvent fractionation of hard palm stearin to increase the concentration of tripalmitoylglycerol and dipalmitoyl‐stearoyl‐glycerol as substrates for synthesis of human milk fat substitute

Summary This research aimed to produce triacylglycerols fraction rich in palmitic acid (PA) at the sn ‐2 position from hard palm stearin (HPS) through acetone fractionation. Fractionations were done at HPS‐to‐acetone ratios of 1:3, 1:5 and 1:7 (w/v) and at temperatures of 25, 30 and 35 °C for 3 h. Triacylglycerols with PA at the sn ‐2 position, such as tripalmitoylglycerol (PPP) and dipalmitoyl‐stearoyl‐glycerol (PPS), were concentrated in the solid fraction, obtained after separation by filtration. The optimal fractionation conditions were at a HPS‐to‐acetone ratio of 1:5 (w/v) and 30 °C. The total PPP and PPS content was more than 91%, with a corresponding yield of more than 59%. Triacylglycerols obtained were composed of more than 91% PA in which 88% were at the sn ‐2 position. Conclusively, the solvent fractionation is a suited alternative method for the preparation of triacylglycerols used for the enzymatic synthesis of 1,3‐dioleoyl‐2‐palmitoylglycerol which is the main triacylglycerol for human milk fat substitute.