Application of chemoenzymatic hydrolysis in the synthesis of 2-monoacylglycerols

The selective biocatalyzed synthesis of 2-monoacylglycerols (2-MAGs) through the use of commercially available immobilized Candida antarctica (Novozym435) and Rhizomucor miehei is explored. Reactions at room temperature result in the formation of a 2-MAG and a corresponding ethyl ester of the fatty acid with immobilized C. antarctica within 2 h with yields ranging from 36% to 83%. Similar reaction conditions with immobilized R. miehei yielded exclusively the 2-MAG after 24 h with yields ranging from 37% to 88%. Yields vary on the acyl group at the sn-2 position and choice of enzyme involved.