The invention discloses a method for preparing
monolaurin, which comprises the following steps: taking
camphor tree seed oil as a
raw material; adding degumed and dehydrated
camphor tree seed oil into an esterification and alcoholysis reactor, and adding acidic
ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)
imidazole catalyst to reacting at the temperature of between 135 and 145 DEG C until the
acid value is reduced to below 0.5, wherein the temperature the dosage of the catalyst is 3 to 4 percent of the weight of the oil and the
molar ratio of the
alcohol to the oil is 1.5-2.5:1; performing
centrifugal separation, adding the esterified and alcoholized amphor tree seed oil into a
catalysis and alcoholysis reactor, and adding the alkaline
ionic liquid of 1-butyl-3-methyl
imidazole salt to react at the temperature of between 165 and 175 DEG C until the total content of the monofatty
glyceride is over 90.0 percent, wherein the dosage of the catalyst is 0.4 to 0.6 percent of the weight of the oil and the
molar ratio of the
alcohol to the oil is 6-7:1; performing
centrifugal separation, washing with the water at the temperature of between 15 and 35 DEG C; and performing vacuum
dehydration and decoloration. The monofatty
glyceride content in the product is over 90.0 percent; the
monolaurin content is over 85.0 percent; and the process of molecular
distillation can be saved. The technology is reasonable, energy-saving and environment-friendly; and most of the
glycerol can be recycled, and the
discharge of acid, alkali and salt is greatly reduced.