ENZYMATIC-SYNTHESIS OF TRICAPRYLIN IN A SOLVENT-FREE SYSTEM - LIPASE REGIOSPECIFICITY AS CONTROLLED BY GLYCEROL ADSORPTION ON SILICA-GEL

Enzymatic synthesis of tricaprylin from caprylic acid (octanoic acid) and glycerol was carried out under solvent-free conditions. Kinetics o f mono-, di- and tricaprylin synthesis and caprylic acid esterificatio n in standard conditions (free glycerol) were slightly different from those obtained in the case of silica gel adsorbed glycerol. The critic al role of the silica gel which behaves as a ''reservoir'' is proposed and it was shown that the use of silica gel facilitates reactions and improves the conversion yields at high glycerol concentrations.