Enzymatic synthesis of trieicosapentaenoylglycerol in a solvent-free medium

The enzymatic synthesis of trieicosapentaenoylglycerol from glycerol and ei cosapentaenoic ethyl eater in a solvent-free medium is studied here. Novozy m SP 435 (immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica) has appeared as a ver y efficient biocatalyst for this transesterification. A nitrogen bubbling h as allowed a good mixing and also the shifting of the reaction toward synth esis by eliminating the ethanol formed. The effect of temperature and of th e quantity of lipase has been studied. In the optimal conditions (T = 80 de greesC, 5% (w/w) of lipase, 1 mol glycerol for 3 mol ethyl ester), pure tri glyceride has been obtained after 10 h. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.