Solvent-free synthesis of medium chain triacylglycerols by esterification of capric, caprylic acids with 1, 3-specific and non-specific lipases

Abstract

Medium chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) are used as a functional oil in various food and pharmaceutical formulations because of their numerous health benefits and physical properties. Enzymatic esterification of glycerol with caprylic (C8:0) and capric acids (C10:0) in a molar ratio of 1:3.5 [50% (C8:0) and 50% (C10:0)] was carried out for the solvent free synthesis of MCTs using 5% (w/w) 1,3 specific lipase, Lipozyme RM IM and non-specific lipase, Novozym 435 in the presence of molecular sieves (10%) and low pressure conditions (50 and 150 mbar) at 50°C. Novozym 435 was more effective in the esterification reaction under 50 mbar reduced pressure, achieving ~54.74% triacylglycerol formation in 6 h, compared to Lipozyme RMIM, which achieved ~31.25% under the same conditions. Further reactions with Novozym 435 for 24 h showed that the maximum formation of MCTs occurred at 20 h (86.46 ± 3%), after which the reaction reached equilibrium. When 50 mbar was used, the formation of triacylglycerols enhanced 13 times compared with the results obtained at atmospheric pressure condition. Chemical characterization of the final MCTs confirmed the formation of four triacylglycerol species (TAG (8:0/8:0/8:0), TAG (8:0/8:0/10:0), TAG (8:0/10:0/10:0), and TAG (10:0/10:0/10:0) with LC–MS and NMR analysis. The melting and crystallization points of the synthesized oil was found to be −3.47°C and −23.48°C, respectively. Our findings contribute to developing a green process for synthesizing MCTs using two different fatty acids. The final product can be used as a nutraceutical oil or as an ingredient to enhance the food's physical properties.