Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of monoacylglycerols MAGs

Preparation of MAGs using Upases is currently weU known and can occur via several different routes (Hayes, 2004 Watanabe and Shimada, 2009). [In addition to glycerol, other glycols can serve as acyl acceptor for the preparation of bio-based surfactants (Hayes, 2004).] Key aspects for bioprocessing are the need to enable miscibility between acyl donor and glycerol substrates and retain low water concentrations for reactions involving ester bond formation, to increase the yield of ester upon the approach of thermodynamic 

In a third example, MAGs were obtained by hydrolysis of TAG in oil-in-water emulsions at 50 °C using a 1,3-selctive hpase, which released FEA from the 1- and 3-glycerol positions (Hwang et al, 2009). To make the reaction irreversible, the medium was enriched in calcium cations, to enable the formation of soaps (with the optimal pH being 10.0, further promoting soap formation). 

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