Enzymatic Oil Interesterification with Base Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The presence of metal chelating agents in oils negatively impacts the performance of enzymatic interesterification, particularly reducing the effectiveness of lipase in processes like those using citric acid, which can lower interesterification performance by up to 65%.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a base, such as sodium carbonate, into the oil before or simultaneously with the lipase during the interesterification process to enhance lipase performance and stability, thereby improving the enzymatic interesterification of oils containing metal chelating agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a metal chelating agent is added to oil to remove metals, then metal removal is improved, but lipase interesterification performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal content in oilVSAvoidinteresterification performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A base substance acts as an intermediary between the metal chelating agent and the lipase enzyme. The base neutralizes the acid generated by the chelating agent, preventing it from inhibiting lipase activity while maintaining the metal removal function. This mediator resolves the conflict between metal chelation and enzymatic interesterification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pH parameter of the oil system is dynamically adjusted by adding base substances. By controlling the pH to remain within an optimal range for lipase activity, the system maintains both metal chelation effectiveness and enzymatic interesterification performance despite the presence of acid-generating chelating agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a metal chelating agent is used to treat oil, then metal stability is improved, but enzyme stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil stabilityVSAvoidenzyme stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The base substance serves as a protective intermediary that buffers the acidic environment created by metal chelating agents. This protection maintains the pH within the tolerance range of the lipase enzyme, extending its operational stability and duration while preserving the oil's metal-free stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If citric acid is added to oil, then metal chelation is improved, but interesterification rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal chelation effectivenessVSAvoidinteresterification rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The pH parameter is actively managed by adding base substances to counteract the acidification caused by citric acid. This parameter control ensures that the interesterification rate remains high by maintaining optimal pH conditions for lipase activity, while citric acid continues to effectively chelate metals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The addition of a base significantly improves lipase performance, increasing productivity and average space-time yield, as demonstrated by enhanced solid fat content modifications and extended enzyme stability during multiple batch reactions.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a base, such as sodium carbonate, into the oil before or simultaneously with the lipase during the interesterification process to enhance lipase performance and stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNeutralization reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The melting profile is often adjusted by rearranging or redistributing the fatty acids on the glycerol backbone either chemically or enzymatically. This process is often referred to as 'interesterification'. Enzymatic interesterification is carried out using a lipase.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic catalysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP1934362B1Enzymatic oil interesterification
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 NOVOZYMES NORTH AMERICA INC
  • EP1934362B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1934362B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1934362B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for enzymatic lipase interesterification of oils containing a chelating agent by sequential or simultaneous treatment with a base.