Production of lysophospholipids rich in DHA

Lysophospholipids (LPLs) play crucial biological roles, mainly as signaling molecules and are widely used as emulsifiers in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an important polyunsaturated fatty acid of the omega 3 family with involvement in health now clearly proved. In cells and in blood DHA is mainly esterified on phospholipids and LPLs. The production of DHA‐rich LPLs may therefore be of great relevance to lipid biochemistry as well as industrial applications. Starting from phospholipids obtained from convenient sources, DHA‐rich LPLs can be obtained by lipase‐catalyzed deacylation of the sn‐1 position. Attention must be paid to the possible intramolecular migration of the remaining acyl moiety occurring during enzymatic reaction, purification or storage.