CHARACTERIZATION OF ENZYMATICALLY SYNTHESIZED STRUCTURED LIPIDS CONTAINING EICOSAPENTAENOIC, DOCOSAHEXAENOIC, AND CAPRYLIC ACIDS

Structured lipids (SL) containing n-3 polyunsaturated (eicosapentaenoi c or docosahexaenoic) and medium-chain (caprylic) fatty acids were syn thesized in gram quantities and characterized. Tricaprylin was mixed w ith n-3-rich polyunsaturated fatty acids in a 1:2 molar ratio and tran sesterified by incubating at 55 degrees C in hexane with SP 435 lipase (10% by wt of total substrates) in a 125-mL Erlenmeyer flask as the b ioreactor. After several batches of reaction, the products were pooled and hexane was evaporated. Short-path distillation was used for purif ication of synthesized SL. The distillation conditions were 1.1 Torr a nd 170 degrees C at a feed flow rate of 3 mL/min. Lp to 240 g of SL wa s isolated and deacidified by alkaline extraction or ethanol-water sol vents. The fatty acid profile, fl ee fatty acid value, saponification number, iodine value, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid, and conjuga ted diene contents were determined. Oxidation stability, with alpha-to copherol as antioxidant, and the oxidative stability index were also d etermined.