Production of Heat-Sensitive Monoacylglycerols by engzymatic Glycerolysis in tert-Pentanol : Process Optimization by Response Surface Methodology.

The aim of this study was to optimize production of MAG by lipase-catalyzed glycerolysis in a tert-pentanol system. Twenty-nine batch reactions consisting of glycerol, sunflower oil, tert-pentanol, and commercially available lipase (Novozym 435) were carried out, with four process parameters being varied: engzyme load, reaction time, substrate ratio of glycerol to oil, and solvent amount. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the reaction system based on the experimental data achieved. MAG, DAG, and TAG contents, measured after a selected reaction time, were used as model responses. Well-fitting quadratic models were obtained for MAG, DAG, and TAG contents as a function of the process parameters with determination coefficients (R2) of 0.89, 0.88, and 0.92, respectively. Of the main effects examined, only enzyme load and reaction time significantly influenced MAG, DAG, and TAG contents. Both enzyme amount and reaction time showed a surprisingly nonlinear relationship between factors (process parameters) and responses, indicating a local maximum. The substrate ratio of glycerol to oil did not significantly affect the MAG and TAG contents; however, it had a significant influence on DAG content. Contour plots were used to evaluate the optimal conditions for the complex interactions between the reaction parameters and responses. The optimal conditions established for MAG yield were: enzyme load, 18 percent (w/w of oil); glycerol/oil ratio, 7:1 (mol/mol); solvent amount, 500 percent (vol/wt of oil); and reaction time, 115 min. Under these conditions, a MAG content of 76 percent (w/w of lipid phase) was predicted. Verification experiments under optimized reaction conditions were conducted, and the results agreed well with the range of predictions.