An Environmentally Friendly Biosurfactant to Enhance the Enzymatic Hydrolysis for Production of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with Potential Application as Nutraceutical

Author(s)

Da Ros, Patricia C. M. ; Pereira, Thales A. ; Barbosa, Fernanda G. ; Marcelino, Paulo R. F. ; da Silva, Silvio S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CATALYSIS LETTERS; v. N/A, p. 10-pg., 2023-03-10.

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as omega-3 and omega-6 are classified as essential, since they are not produced by the body, and therefore must be ingested into the diet. The hydrolysis of vegetable oils is one of the most used options in the production of essential fatty acids, and it can be catalyzed by chemical or biochemical routes. Biochemical catalysis is influenced by the biocatalyst and emulsifier used. The presence of an emulsifier that provides a stable emulsion is essential for the production of a high rate of free fatty acids. The present work aimed to evaluate the performance of a microbial bioemulsifier on the enzymatic hydrolysis of vegetable oils rich in PUFAs. For such a purpose, the biosurfactant was produced from the fermentation of Scheffersomyces shehatae 16-BR6-2AI, and tests of the emulsifying and tensoactives properties were carried out. Hydrolysis reactions comparing the microbial biosurfactant with other commercial emulsifiers were realized using several sources of lipid feedstock and biocatalysts. The obtained results showed that the bioemulsifier has a stable emulsion, and achieved 27.72 to 100% of hydrolysis yield, depending on the parameters used in the reaction. This provided a high potential for this molecule as a possible sustainable alternative to the emulsifiers currently used in enzymatic hydrolysis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/10636-8 - From the cell factory to the Biodiesel-Bioethanol integrated biorefinery: a systems approach applied to complex problems in micro and macroscales
• Grantee: Roberto de Campos Giordano
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/18909-3 - Evaluation of the technological potential of microalgae aiming its application in the energy, food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors
• Grantee: Patricia Caroline Molgero da Rós
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants