DoE oriented reaction optimization on the lipase-catalyzed monostearin synthesis

Recognition that trans and saturated fats have negative health effects drive researchers to develop alternative systems that can structure liquid oils into semi-solid plastic pastes for food applications. Monoacylglicerols (MAG) can be used as a promising molecule to achieve this structuring so we have optimized a biocatalytic batch process to the esterification reaction between 1,2-O-isopropylidene glycerol and stearic acid, catalyzed by Lipozyme RM IM, using response surface methodology (RSM) in a laboratory setting with 95% of conversion after 4 h.