Production and concentration of monoacylglycerols rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by enzymatic glycerolysis and molecular distillation

• Published in: Food chemistry 2016-01, Vol.190, p.960-967
• Main Authors: Solaesa, Ángela García, Sanz, María Teresa, Falkeborg, Mia, Beltrán, Sagrario, Guo, Zheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Distillation; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - analysis; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - chemistry; Lipase - metabolism; Lipozyme 435; Monoacylglycerols (MAGs) glycerolysis; Monoglycerides - analysis; Monoglycerides - chemistry; Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs); Short path distillation (SPD); Temperature
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.06.061

•MAGs rich in ω-PUFAs is produced by combining enzymatic glycerolysis with SPD process.•SPD enables a distillate stream of MAGs with 91% purity and 94% overall recovery.•The capability of SPD to directly concentrate n-3 PUFAs in MAG form is demonstrated.•A processing diagram for scalable production of n-3 PUFAs enriched MAG is mapped out. Production of monoacylglycerols (MAGs) rich in ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) was conducted through short path distillation (SPD) of an acylglycerol mixture (containing 67% MAGs) produced by enzymatic glycerolysis of sardine oil with glycerol. A stepwise SPD process in a UIC KDL 5 system (vacuum 10−3mbar, feeding flow 1.0mL/min) was proceeded: the first distillation performed at evaporator temperature (TE) of 110°C to remove glycerol completely and most of FFAs; and the second distillation at optimized TE 155°C; resulting in a stream distillate with 91% purity and 94% overall recovery of MAGs. This work also demonstrated that SPD is able to concentrate n-3 PUFAs in MAG form by distilling at proper TE e.g. 125°C, where n-3 PUFAs are concentrated in the residues. Moreover, this work mapped out a complete processing diagram for scalable production of n-3 PUFAs enriched MAGs as potential food emulsifier and ingredient.