[Studies on enzymatic glycerolysis of palm oil by lowering temperature proceedingly in solid state]

Enzymatic glycerolysis of palm oil was studied in solid state with a lipase from Pseudomonus fluorescens as catalyst. The influences of molar ratio of glycerol to oil, reaction temperatures and temperature control on the accumulation of monoglyceriods in reaction mixtures were investigated. The suitable initial reaction temperature should be the minimum co-melting point of reactants. The monoglycerides contents in equilibrium state were approximately 30% at 48 degrees C or higher. An increment of 13% of monoglycerides content was obtained under the optimum temperature programming comparing with the normal equilibrium state.