Two step-production of acylglycerols containing a high proportion of docosapentaenoic acid from marine omega-3 oil and their oxidative stability

The objective of this study was to concentrate polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) from seal blubber oil in an innovative manner to produce a high content of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) in the resultant product. It also aimed at investigating the use of lipases as catalysts for synthesizing acylglycerols from glycerol and polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrates. Additionally, study of the oxidative stability of acylglycerols synthesized by lipases was intended. A two-stage urea complexation process was used to concentrate PUFA from seal blubber oil, giving rise to a DPA content of up to 24.0% in the product. Enzymatic synthesis of acyglycerols directly from glycerol and fatty acid concentrate was studied. Three lipases were used as biocatalysts for esterification. Lipase SP435 from Candida antarctica showed the highest activity for esterification. Effects of reaction parameters, namely temperature, time course and mole ratio of glycerol to fatty acid were followed with all three lipases. The optimal reaction time was 24 hr at 30 °C at a mole ratio of glycerol to fatty acid of 14:1. The maximum degree of acylglycerol synthesis was > 90%. The effect of time course and mole ratio of glycerol to fatty acid on acylglycerols distribution was also determined. The oxidative stability of different samples under Schaal-oven conditions at 60 °C showed that the oxidative stability of acylglycerols was better than that of the corresponding fatty acid esters.