ENZYMATIC MODIFICATION OF MELON SEED OIL - INCORPORATION OF EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID

Two immobilized lipases, IM60 from Mucor miehei and SP435 from Candida antarctica, were used as biocatalysts for the modification of the fat ty acid composition of crude melon seed (Citrullus colocynthis L) oil by incorporating n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Higher eicosap entaenoic acid (EPA) incorporation was obtained by using EPA ethyl est er (97% pure) than by using EPA free acid (45% pure) for both enzyme-c atalyzed reactions. IM60 required additional water to optimize the rea ction condition, but any added water inhibited the catalytic activity of SP435. Increasing the molar ratio of acid or ester to triacylglycer ol (TAG) significantly increased EPA incorporation, especially when EP A ethyl ester was used. The n-6 fatty acid content of melon seed oil w as significantly lowered by using a high molar ratio of EPA ethyl este r to TAG. Incorporation of EPA into melon seed oil by immobilized lipa se can increase the n-3 PUFA content, can help control the level of n- 6 fatty acid, and may improve the nutritional quality of melon seed oi l.