LIPASE-CATALYZED RANDOMIZATION OF FATS AND OILS IN FLOWING SUPERCRITICAL CARBON-DIOXIDE

Enzymes can frequently impart more selectivity to a reaction than chem ical catalysts. In addition, the use of enzymes can reduce side reacti ons and simplify post-reaction separation problems. in combination wit h an environmentally benign and safe medium, such as supercritical car bon dioxide (SC-CO2), enzymatic catalysis makes supercritical fluids e xtremely attractive to the food industry. In this study, randomization of fats and oils was accomplished with an immobilized lipase in flowi ng SC-CO2. Triglycerides, adsorbed onto Celite, are solubilized in CO2 and carried over 1-10 g immobilized lipase derived from Candida antar ctica. The degree of randomization and rate of triglyceride throughput could be controlled by CO2 pressure and flow rate and quantity of enz yme used. The dropping points and solid fat indices of the resulting r andomized oils were compared to oils that were randomized by conventio nal methods with sodium methoxide. Reversed-phase high-performance chr omatography with flame-ionization detection was used to quantitate cha nges in triglyceride composition of various substrates, such as palm o lein and high-stearate soybean oil. The resultant randomized oil mixtu res have properties, e.g., solid fat index, that make them potential c andidates for incorporation into traditional margarine formulations.