Lipase-Catalyzed Incorporation of n-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids into Virgin Coconut Oil

Lanh Nguyen
PhD Student
Department of Biochemistry

Date: March 20, 2023
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm.
Room: CSF 1302

Enzymatic lipase-catalyzed acidolysis reaction for incorporation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or both (DHA/EPA/ EPA+DHA) into virgin coconut oil (VCO) was studied. The reaction parameters (type of enzyme, reaction time, enzyme load, reaction temperature, and substrate mole ratio) were investigated. A response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize reaction parameters, namely reaction temperature (35-55 0C), percentage of enzyme (2-6 %) and reaction time (24-48 h), and to obtain percent incorporation of DHA, EPA or DHA+EPA into VCO. Predictive models for DHA/EPA/DHA+EPA contents of the modified VCO oil after acidolysis reaction were adequate and reproducible. Production of DHA/EPA/DHA+EPA-enriched VCO was optimized for highest DHA/EPA/EPA+DHA content. According to the RSM model, the modified VCO was predicted to contain 23% DHA, 18.7% EPA, and 22.55% DHA+EPA. The optimal reaction conditions for incorporating DHA/EPA/ DHA+EPA into VCO were achieved at 35.94 h, 42.810C, and 4.25 % enzyme. Further work investigating the characteristics of the modified VCO are in progress.