Lipase-catalyzed production of pinolenic acid concentrate from pine nut oil using a recirculating packed bed reactor

Pinolenic acid (PLA) concentrate in fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) was efficiently produced from pine nut oil via lipase-catalyzed ethanolysis using a recirculating packed bed reactor (RPBR). The effects of reaction temperature, molar ratio, and residence time on the concentration of PLA were explored. Novozym 435 lipase from Candida antarctica showed less selectivity toward PLA esterified at the sn-3 position when temperature was increased from 45 to 55 °C. For the trials of molar ratio between 1: 50 and 1: 100 (pine nut oil to ethanol), there were no significant differences in the yield of PLA. Residence time of substrate in a RPBR affected significantly the PLA content as well as the yield of PLA. Optimal temperature, molar ratio (pine nut oil to ethanol), and residence time for production of PLA concentrate via lipase-catalyzed ethanolysis in a RPBR were 45 °C, 1: 50, and 3 min, respectively. Under these conditions, the maximal PLA content (36.1 mol%) in the concentrate was obtained during the initial 10 min of reaction.