Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Nutritional Structured Lipids at Laboratory-Scale Using Crude or Refined Oils

In this chapter, some examples of laboratory protocols to produce nutritional structured lipids, namely human milk fat substitutes, dietetic triacylglycerols, and interesterified fat blends with improved functional and rheological properties, catalyzed by either immobilized commercial or noncommercial lipase preparations, are presented. The use of crude oils instead of refined counterparts to reduce oil purification costs is also addressed. In addition to batch synthesis, the continuous production in packed- or fluidized-bed bioreactors is addressed, as well as the evaluation of operational stability of the biocatalysts used (either in batch reuses or in continuous mode).