Enzymatic esterification of ?-3 fatty acid concentrates from seal blubber oil with glycerol

Enzymatic synthesis of acyglycerols directly from glycerol and an ?-3 fatty acid concentrate, prepared from seal blubber oil, in organic solvents was studied. Seven lipases were used as biocatalysts for esterification, Lipase LP-401-AS from Chromobacterium viscosumshowed the highest activity for esterification. Effects of reaction parameters, namely, temperature, time course, type of solvent, water content, amount of glycerol, enzyme load and solvent volume, were followed with lipase IP-401-AS as the biocatalyst of choice. Optimal reaction conditions were established, and the maximal degree of acylglycerol synthesis reached was 94.3%. The concentrations of monoacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, and triacylglycerols were 13.8, 43.1, and 37.4%, respectively. Therefore, acylglycerols containing predominantly ?-3 fatty acid concentrates may be easily synthesized directly viatheir reaction with glycerol.