Intensified synthesis of structured lipids from oleic acid rich moringa oil in the presence of supercritical C02.

Structured lipids have been synthesized using different medium chain fatty acids based on the reaction with long chain triglyceride viz. moringa oil, in the presence of supercritical C02. Effect of different operating parameters related to supercritical C02 approach on the product yields has been studied also establishing the effect of type of biocatalyst (using two forms of commercial lipases as Novozym 435 and Lipozyme RM). It was observed that 100 bar pressure at 50 °C temperature with 300 rpm speed, molar ratio of 4:1 (medium chain fatty acids: long chain triglycerides), reaction time as 5h and Novozym 435 as the catalyst were the best conditions giving 63.2% yield which was much higher as compared to the conventional approach where only 28.2% yield was obtained. After acidolysis, the residual unreacted triglycerides were extracted using hexane and allowed to react again with free corresponding medium fatty acids under same reaction conditions. After complete reaction with medium fatty acids, product obtained was structured lipids with medium chain fatty acids at 1,3 position and long chain fatty acid at 2-position. The enzyme reusability studies confirmed that enzyme was efficient up to 15 cycles providing a cost effective proposition. Overall, it was established that structured lipids possessing significant nutritional benefits could be effectively synthesised using green intensified approach based on supercritical C02. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]