Process for the transesterification of triglycerides in an aqueous microemulsion reaction medium in the presence of lipase enzyme

• US 4,839,287 A
• Filed: 03/10/1987
• Issued: 06/13/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Berol KEMI AB
• Original Assignee: Berol KEMI AB
• Inventors: Osterberg, Eva, Holmberg, Krister
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Barry S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/024,282
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 435/134, 435/135, 435/72, 435/74, 435/822, 435/921, 435/931, 435/141, 435/280
• US Class Current: 435/135
• CPC Class Codes: C11C 3/08 with fatty acids

Abstract

A process is provided for the rapid transesterification of triglycerides with fatty acids in the presence of lipase enzyme, using an aqueous microemulsion reaction medium comprising a hydrophobic component, a surface-active component, and water.

Claims

1. A process for the rapid transesterification of triglycerides with fatty acids in the presence of lipase enzyme, which comprises tranesterifying a triglyceride with a fatty acid in the presence of lipase enzyme and in an aqueous microemulsion reaction medium comprising a water-immiscible hydrophobic component, a surface-active component, and water.

2. A process according to claim 1 in which the hydrophobic component is a water-immiscible hydrocarbon.

3. A process according to claim 2 in which the hydrocarbon is an aliphatic hydrocarbon.

4. A process according to claim 2 in which the hydrocarbon is a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon.

5. A process according to claim 1 in which the surface-active component is an anionic surface-active agent.

6. A process according to claim 1 in which the surface-active component is a nonionic surface active agent.

7. A process according to claim 6 in which the nonionic surface-active agent is a polyoxyalkylene glycol ether.

8. A process according to claim 1 in which the microemulsion also comprises an auxiliary surfactant.

9. A process according to claim 1 in which the triglyceride is derived from a naturally-occurring fatty oil.

10. A process according to claim 9 in which the fatty oil is palm oil.

11. A process according to claim 1 in which the fatty acid is an aliphatic fatty acid having from six to twenty-four carbon atoms.

12. A process according to claim 1 in which the microemulsion comprises:

(1) an amount within the range from about 81 to about 99.8%, by weight of the hydrophobic component;

(2) an amount within the range from about 0.1 to about 15%, by weight of the surface-active component; and

(3) an amount within the range from about 0.1 to about 4%, by weight of water.

13. A process according to claim 1 in which the lipase is Rhizopus delemar.

14. A process according to claim 1 in which the transesterification temperature is within the range from about 25°

to about 40°

C.