Palm oil hydrolysis catalyzed by lipases under ultrasound irradiation – The use of experimental design as a tool for variables evaluation

Diacylglycerol oil has been increasingly recognized by its good nutritional properties and therefore, different technologies have been developed for obtaining it. The present work focuses on the diacylglycerol production by hydrolysis reaction of the palm oil using the PS IM and TL IM commercial lipases as biocatalysts under ultrasound irradiation. An experimental design (central composite rotatable design – CCRD) adopting surface response was applied as a tool to evaluate the optimal reaction conditions beyond a restrict number of experiments. Reactions were performed in an ultrasound equipment and different variables were investigated, such as temperature (30–55 °C), enzyme content (1–2 wt.% of oil mass), mechanical stirring (300–700 rpm) and reaction time. Both, PS IM and TL IM enzymes showed the best results after 1 h and 30 min of reaction under 30 °C and, applying 300 rpm as stirring. On these conditions, the diacylglycerol yield was around 34% and 39%, respectively; considering that 1% PS IM was applied for the first one and, 2% TL IM for the second one. Therefore, it was obtained good yield of a diacylglycerol-rich oil in shorter reaction times under sonication and soft conditions. The mathematic model proposed suggested a satisfactorily representation of the process and good correlation among the experimental results and the theoretical values predicted by the model equation were achieved.

► We proposed palm oil hydrolysis by lipases under ultrasound to obtain diacylglycerol.
► Experimental design (central composite rotatable design) surface response was applied.
► We considered temperature, enzyme content, mechanical stirring, and reaction time.
► Good yields in shorter reaction times were achieved.
► Mathematic model proposed suggested a satisfactorily representation of the process.