Lipase‐catalyzed synthesis of structured low‐calorie triacylglycerols

Because of their unique fatty acid specificities and regioselectivities, lipases have been found to be effective catalysts for the synthesis of structured lipids that have a predetermined composition and distribution of fatty acyl groups on the glycerol backbone. The prospective plant‐derived lipase found in the exudate of Carica papaya is known for its shortchain acyl group specificity, 1,3‐glycerol regioselectivity, and sn‐3 stereoselectivity. Carica papaya latex (CPL) was therefore examined for its potential ability to synthesize structured lowcalorie short‐ and long‐chain triacylglycerols (SLCT). In this paper, we describe the utility of CPL in the lipase‐catalyzed interesterification reaction of triacetin and hydrogenated soybean oil. Normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography, combined with mass spectrometry, was used to distinguish the structured SLCT synthesized using the lipase from the corresponding SLCT produced by chemical synthesis.