Enzymatic glycerolysis and transesterification of vegetable oil for enhanced production of feruloylated glycerols

Novel functional groups can be introduced into vegetable oils using enzymes, resulting in value-added products. The transesterification kinetics of ethyl ferulate with MAG, DAG, and TAG were examined. Transesterification was catalyzed by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B in solventless batch and packed-bed reactors. Initial reaction rates with TAG were slightly sensitive to water activity, whereas rates with MAG and DAG were water activity independent. Transesterification was also three-to sixfold faster with MAG and DAG. These observations indicate that the reaction is rate limited by the acyl acceptor, and that oils with free hydroxyl groups are preferred acyl acceptors in comparison with TAG, which must undergo partial hydrolysis before becoming reactive.