A kinetic study of the lipase-catalyzed ethanolysis of two short-chain triradylglycerols: Alkylglycerols vs. triacylglycerols

Lipase-catalyzed ethanolysis of two short-chain triradylglycerols, namely tributyrin and 2,3-dibutyroil-1-O-alkylglycerols, have been studied. Much faster rate of reaction for the ethanolysis of tributyrin than that of 2,3-dibutyroil-1-O-alkylglycerols was attained. A kinetic model for the rate of release of ethyl butyrate and for the inactivation of the lipase has been also studied. The parameter corresponding to the release of ethyl butyrate was one order of magnitude higher for ethanolysis of tributyrin than the corresponding of 2,3-dibutyroil-1-O-alkylglycerols.On the contrary, the stability of Novozym 435 during ethanolysis of 2,3-dibutyroil-1-O-alkylglycerols was higher than the corresponding of tributyrin.At the reaction conditions under study, both ethanolysis reactions take place with high selectivity and yield monoesterified alkylglycerols and sn-2 monobutyrin as the main acylglycerols in the reaction mixtures.