Solvent-free glycerolysis of palm and palm kernel oils catalyzed by a 1,3-specific lipase and fatty acid composition of glycerolysis products

Palm and palm kernel oils were reacted with glycerol using a 1,3-positional specific commercial lipase from Rhizopus delemar, Lipase D 'Amano' 100 (40°C, 500 Units lipase/g oil) in the absence of solvent. After 24 h, partial acylglycerols contents of the glycerolysis products of palm and palm kernel oils were 66% (w/w) and 64% (w/w), respectively. The highest monoacylglycerols content (30% w/w) was obtained in the glycerolysis product of palm oil. Lipase showed selectivity in glycerolysis on saturated fatty acids, especially for palmitic and stearic acids.