Effective and highly selective lipase-mediated synthesis of 2-monoolein and 1,2-diolein in a two-phase system

The possibility of using 1,3-regioselective lipases for the synthesis of 2-monoolein and 1,2-diolein by ethanolysis of triolein was evaluated. The reactions were carried out in aqueous/organic two-phase systems, achieving high reaction rates due to the interfacial activation of the lipases. Different lipases and reaction conditions were screened. Commercially available lipases were used without purification or immobilisation. After preliminary tests, response surface analysis was used to optimise the reaction conditions for the most promising enzymes. Rhizopus oryzae lipase was the best one for the synthesis of 2-monoolein, giving a 76% yield with an isomer composition of 99:1. Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase was the most favourable one for the synthesis of 1,2-diolein, giving a 58% yield and an isomer composition of 93:7. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.