Optimization of production of conjugated linoleic acid from soybean oil

Linoleic acid from soybean oil was used to synthesize conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the process. A temperature of -35 degreesC and a solvent to oil sample ratio of 8 were suggested for removal of saturated fatty acids by low-temperature crystallization. The ratio of oil sample/urea/methanol suggested was 1:2:5.5 (w/w/v) for removal of oleic acid by urea crystallization. A temperature of 150 degreesC and a time of 140 min were found to be the optimal conditions in the isomerization for the production of c-9,t-11 and t-10,c-12 CLA isomers.