Lipase G‐Catalyzed synthesis of monoglycerides in organic solvent and analysis by HPLC

Monoglycerides were synthesized with Lipase G fromPenicillium sp. as biocatalyst. This enzyme successfully catalyzed the esterification of glycerol with oleic acid (18:1 n‐9) or eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA (20:5 n‐3) in hexane. Esterification at 40°C for 24 hr resulted in 86.3 mol% and 64.3 mol% incorporation of 18:1 n‐9 and 20:5 n‐3, respectively. Lipase GC fromGeotrichum candidum was not effective in esterifying the fatty acids under the present experimental conditions. Lipase G was able to incorporate 98.5 mol% and 98.1 mol% of 18:1 n‐9 onto glycerol in 24 hr or less at 25°C and 37°C, respectively, in the absence of molecular sieve 4A. The product formed was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a combined evaporative light scattering mass detector (ELSD) and ultraviolet detection at 206 nm. The result of this study demonstrates that Lipase G is capable of incorporating long‐chain fatty acids of potential health benefit onto glycerol.