INTERESTERIFICATION OF TRIGLYCERIDE AND FATTY-ACID IN A MICROAQUEOUS REACTION SYSTEM USING LIPASE-SURFACTANT COMPLEX

Lipase-surfactant complex (LSC) was prepared by mixing an aqueous solu tion of lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) derived from Pseudomonas sp, and an ethano l solution of sorbitan mono-stearate. The LSC was used to catalyze the interesterification of triglyceride and fatty acid in a solvent syste m with hexane or in a solvent-free system. The optimum reaction temper ature for the LSC was found to be 50 degrees C. The LSC also had catal ytic activity in a solvent-free system at 80-100 degrees C. The optimu m added water content at which the enzyme had maximum activity was fou nd to be 100 mmol H2O/(g-LSC) for various substrates and enzyme concen trations, This shows that the amount of water required depends on the amount of enzyme, Ethanol and diethylene glycol could be used as water substitutes, and the optimum hydroxyl group content was 100 mmol [OH] /(g-LSC).