Huang_2020_J.Sci.Food.Agric_100_4565

BACKGROUND: Medium- and long- chain triacylglycerols (MLCTs) are functional structural lipids that can provide the human body with essential fatty acids and a faster energy supply. This study aimed to prepare MLCTs rich in alpha-linolenic by enzymatic interesterification of perilla oil and medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs), catalyzed by Lipozyme RM IM, Lipozyme TL IM, Lipozyme 435, and Novozyme 435 respectively. RESULTS: The effects of lipase loading, concentration of MCTs, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the yield of MLCTs were investigated. It was found that the reaction achieved more than a 70% yield of MLCTs in triacylglycerols under the conditions of 400 g kg(-1) MCTs and 60 g kg(-1) lipase loading after equilibrium. A novel two-stage deodorization was also applied to purify the interesterification products. The triacylglycerols reach over 97% purity in the products with significant removal (P < 0.05) of the free fatty acids, and the trans fatty acids were strictly controlled at below 1%. There was more than 40% alpha-linolenic in the purified products, with long-chain fatty acids mostly occupying the desired sn-2 position in acylglycerols, which are more active in hydrolysis. CONCLUSION: A series of novel alpha-linolenic acid-rich medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols was prepared. Under appropriate reaction conditions, the yield of MLCTs in triacylglycerols was above 70%. A novel two-stage deodorization can be used to promote the elimination of free fatty acids and limit the generation of trans fatty acids.