Enzymatic preparation of monoglycerides in microemulsion

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Abstract
Monoglycerides have been obtained in 80% yield by enzyme catalyzed hydrolysis of the corresponding triglyceride. The reaction was carried out in an oil‐rich microemulsion (L 2 phase) formulated without cosurfactant. Best results were obtained with the anionic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT), isooctane as hydrocarbon component and a molar ratio of aqueous buffer of pH 7 to surfactant of 12. The enzyme used was a 1,3‐specific lipase which leaves the 2‐ position intact. However, the 2‐monoglyceride formed slowly undergoes acyl migration to 1‐monoglyceride which subsequently is hydrolyzed to glycerol and fatty acid. Optimal reaction time at 35 C reaction temperature was found to be three hr.