Synthesis of dietary triglycerides from the enzymatic acidolysis of grape seed oil in a fluidized bed reactor

• Grant number: 18/10194-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2018
• End date: October 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Ariela Veloso de Paula
• Grantee: Beatriz Marques da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

With the increase of diseases related to irregular feeding, studies aiming to the obtaining of healthy foods have grown. In that context, there are MLM triacylglycerols, oils and fats structured to contain medium-chain fatty acids (M) at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions and long-chain fatty acids (L) in the sn-2 position. Such modifications can be made using biocatalysts, in that case, the lipase 1,3 specific, which is widely used in reactions of enzymatic acidolysis. This way, it is important that the enzyme is in its immobilized form, which allows its recovery and reuse, besides increasing the stability. For that, the support used will be the corn cob powder, a lignocellulosic compound which stands out for its chemical structure, it allows modifications, and because it is an industrial waste, in other words, it has a low cost. Therefore, the objective of that project is the synthesis of MLM triacylglycerols by enzymatic acidolysis in a fluidized bed reactor, using lipase from Rhizopus oryzae immobilized in corn cob powder by covalent attachment. The magnetized derivative will be compared with optimum pH and temperature levels as well as thermal stability. Then, acidolysis reactions will be conducted in a fluidized bed reactor, operating in batch mode. The final product will be analyzed for the purpose of determining the degree of incorporation of the medium-chain fatty acids in the triglyceride. It is desired to establish the best conditions for obtaining MLM triacylglycerols, which will allow getting data to boost the biotech research area.