Enzymatic synthesis of trieicosapentaenoylglycerol in a solvent-free medium

The enzymatic synthesis of trieicosapentaenoylglycerol from glycerol and eicosapentaenoic ethyl ester in a solvent-free medium is studied here. Novozym SP 435 (immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica) has appeared as a very efficient biocatalyst for this transesterification. A nitrogen bubbling has allowed a good mixing and also the shifting of the reaction toward synthesis by eliminating the ethanol formed. The effect of temperature and of the quantity of lipase has been studied. In the optimal conditions (T=80°C, 5% (w/w) of lipase, 1 mol glycerol for 3 mol ethyl ester), pure triglyceride has been obtained after 10 h.