Structured triacylglycerols containing behenic acid:: Preparation and properties

Low-calorie structured lipids (SL) containing behenic and oleic acids were prepared using interesterification of olive oil with hydrogenated high erucic acid rapeseed oil and acidolysis of olive oil with behenic acid. The reactions were catalyzed by the Lipozyme RM IM enzyme. Triacylglycerols (TAGs), obtained by interesterification (TAG(SLHE)), contained 20.9 and 45.3% of behenic and oleic acids, respectively, whereas those obtained by acidolysis (TAG(SLB)) contained 34.6 and 49.6% of these acids, respectively. In both cases, behenic acid was mainly incorporated in the sn-1,3 positions of the TAG molecules (similar to 93%). The distribution of oleic acid in the individual positions was different for each product. The content of oleic acid in the sn-2 position of TAG was 50.2 and 80.3% for TAG(SLHE) and TAG(SLB), respectively. The melting temperature of TAG(SLHE) (45.5%) was higher than that of TAG(SLB) (37.5%). Because of the suitable solid fat content characteristics of TAG(SLB) as a function of temperature, it is possible to use TAG(SLB) in bakery and in confectionery industries for production of margarines and blends, among others.