Immobilization of Rhizopus japonicus lipase on celite and its application for enrichment of docosahexaenoic acid in soybean oil

Rhizopus japonicus lipase was immobilized on Celite, the immobilized enzyme acquired 6.34 units of transesterification activity over the native enzyme which does not show any significant transesterification activity in n-hexane. However, there was no improvement in the thermal stability of Celite-immobilized lipase. The preparation is shown to be promising for its end application in producing structured lipid. An incorporation of 25% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) into soybean oil was observed in n-hexane media in 24 h with the immobilized lipase. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.