Monoolein production by triglycerides hydrolysis using immobilized Rhizopus oryzae lipase

•Immobilization of the lipase from Rhizopus oryzae.•Olive oil hydrolysis.•Hydrolysis product was purified.•A high yield of monoolein was produced.

Lipase extracted from Rhizopus oryzae was immobilized in alginate gel beads. The effects of the immobilization conditions, such as, alginate concentration, CaCl2 concentration and amount of initial enzyme on retained activity (specific activity ratio of entrapped active lipase to free lipase) were investigated. The optimal conditions for lipase entrapment were determined: 2% (w/v) alginate concentration, 100 mM CaCl2 and enzyme ratio of 2000 IU/mL.In such conditions, immobilized lipase by inclusion in alginate showed a highest stability and activity, on olive oil hydrolysis reaction where it could be reused for 10 cycles. After 15 min of hydrolysis reaction, the mass composition of monoolein, diolein and triolein were about 78%, 10% and 12%.Hydrolysis’ products purification by column chromatography lead to a successful separation of reaction compounds and provide a pure fraction of monoolein which is considered as the widest used emulsifier in food and pharmaceutical industries.