CHEMICAL INTERESTERIFICATION WITH REGIOSELECTIVITY FOR EDIBLE OILS

Chemical interesterification reaction conditions that provide regiosel ectivity regarding fatty acid positions in triacylglycerol have been i nvestigated. Sodium meth oxide-catalyzed ester interchange between soy bean oil and methyl stearate was performed in hexane at low reaction t emperature, i.e., 30 to 60-degrees-C. The results showed regioselectiv ity was obtained at 30-degrees-C. The ester interchange at 1,3-carbons progressed 1.7 times faster than at 2-carbon of the glycerol moiety o f triacylglycerol at 24 h. Preheating of the mixture of reactant and c atalyst at 60-degrees-C for 15 min promoted catalyst activation to acc elerate the interesterification while maintaining regioselectivity. Th is method is believed to be feasible for modification of edible fats a nd oils.