RAPID ENZYMATIC PRODUCTION OF ACYLGLYCEROLS FROM CONJUGATED LINOLEIC-ACID AND GLYCEROL IN A SOLVENT-FREE SYSTEM

Rates and product distributions have been determined for the consecuti ve esterification reactions of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with gly cerol in the presence of an immobilized Candida antarctica lipase from Novo Nordisk (Lipozyme IM). In a solvent-free environment, both rates and product distributions are affected by the ratio of reactants, tem perature, and hydration level. For mole ratios. of CLA to glycerol ran ging from 1/1 to 3/1, incorporation of at least 95% of the original CL A into the product acylglycerols was achieved in less than 7 h of reac tion at 50 degrees C.