Batch and continuous lipase-catalyzed interesterification of blends containing olive oil for trans-free margarines

Author(s)

Schafer De Martini Soares, Fabiana Andreia ^[1] ; Osorio, Natalia M. ^[2] ; da Silva, Roberta Claro ^[1] ; Gioielli, Luiz Antonio ^[1] ; Ferreira-Dias, Suzana ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, FCF, Dept Biochem & Pharmaceut Technol, BR-09500900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Tecn Lisboa, Inst Super Agron, CEER, P-1349017 Lisbon - Portugal

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; v. 115, n. 4, p. 413-428, APR 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

The interesterification of natural fats can improve certain physical and nutraceutical properties by modification of their acylglycerol profile. The aim of this study was the production of structured lipids by lipase-catalyzed interesterification of blends of palm stearin (PS), palm kernel oil (PK), and olive oil (OO), to be incorporated in margarines. Interesterification activity was evaluated by the decrease of the solid fat content at 35 degrees C (SFC35 degrees C) of the blends. The best interesterification conditions, found by response surface methodology (RSM), catalyzed by Lipozyme (R) TL IM or Lipozyme (R) RM IM, were 65 degrees C and a blend of 45% w/w of PS, 30% w/w of PK, and 25% w/w of OO. Under these conditions, after 2h of batch interesterification, the product had a SFC35 degrees C of 3.0%. The reaction was implemented in a continuous packed-bed bioreactor, under optimized conditions, for 226h (Lipozyme (R) TL IM) or 188h (Lipozyme (R) RM IM), at a residence time of 7min. The inactivation profile of both biocatalysts followed the first-order deactivation model: half-lives of 88h (Lipozyme (R) TL IM) and 60h (Lipozyme (R) RM IM) were estimated, respectively. Free fatty acid content of continuous interesterified blends (c.a. 1% w/w) was lower than that of batch-interesterified blends (c.a. 45% w/w). Practical applications: The obtained structured lipids, with low SFC35 degrees C, are adequate for the production of trans-free table margarines. Using sn-1,3 specific lipases as catalysts, the original fatty acids at sn-2 position will be maintained with nutritional benefits. PS and PK are fats used as trans-free sources of solid fat, for the margarine industry, which are not very sensitive to oxidation. PK, a lauric fat, imparts a fast crystallization rate and confers plasticity to the final products. The incorporation of OO will enrich the blends with natural antioxidants and oleic acid at sn-2 position in acylglycerols. The development of response surface models, describing both final SFC values of interesterified blends and SFC decrease, will allow predicting results for novel proportions of fats and oils and/or a novel combination composition-temperature. The implementation of the interesterification in continuous reactors promotes a faster reaction and lower acidity of interesterified blends, with benefits in terms of product separation and purification. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/20809-3 - Continuous enzymatic interesterification of blends of palm stearin, coconut oil and canola oil for low trans-Margarine formulation
• Grantee: Fabiana Andreia Schäfer de Martini Soares
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate