Lipase=catalysed alcoholysis of sunflower oil

摘要

Process for the enzymatic alcoholysis of sunflower oil having an oleic acid content above 80 mole% with a 1-10C monohydric primary alcohol comprises: continuously introducing a solvent-free liquid mixture of the sunflower oil and alcohol into a reactor containing a fixed-bed catalytic system comprising lipases immobilised on a hydrated polar support; allowing the reaction to proceed until steady-state conditions are achieved; and continuously recovering a product comprising sunflower fatty acid monoesters, the starting alcohol, monoglycerides and diglycerides.