Synthesis of dietary triglycerides from the enzymatic acidolysis of grape seed oil using a fixed bed reactor

• Grant number: 18/03932-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Ariela Veloso de Paula
• Grantee: Vinícius Guerso Batista
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Currently, diseases caused by poor diet have aroused people's interest and search for healthier and healthier foods. These include dietary triglycerides, oils, and fats that have undergone modifications in their traditional structure. Among dietary triglycerides, MLM-type fatty acids have medium-chain fatty acids (M) esterified at the sn-1 and sn-3 position and a long-chain fatty acid (L) maintained at the sn-2 position of the triglyceride. For this modification, it is necessary to use specific 1,3-lipases, a biocatalyst with wide applicability and high specificity. This biocatalyst can be immobilized so that it can be re-used, in addition to providing operational stability. In this context, lignocellulosic materials have been gaining prominence in this area, since in their structures they present chemical groups capable of modification and activation for immobilization. Among these materials, corn cob, from agro-industrial residues, stands out, which allows the immobilization of enzymes. Therefore the objective of this project is to synthesize MLM type dietary triglycerides in a fixed bed enzymatic reactor, from the enzymatic acidolysis of the grapeseed oil. For this, Rhizhopus oryzae lipase will be covalently immobilized on corn cob powder. The product of the reaction will be analyzed in order to determine the degree of incorporation of medium-chain fatty acids into MLM type dietary triglyceride. The results obtained will allow the selection of the most efficient reaction conditions to obtain these MLM type dietary triglycerides, with promising results in the area of biotechnology.