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The crucial role of silica gel in lipase-catalyzed esterification reactions using adsorbed high-polar substrates was established. It was found that in these kinds of reactions, the presence of silica gel-adsorbed substrates did not alter the kinetic mechanisms of the synthesis of acylglycerides but improved significantly the conversion yields. An explanation for the critical role of silica gel in these kinds of reactions was proposed whereby the silica gel behaves as a "polar substrate reservoir" and plays a protective role for the immobilized enzyme avoiding its blockage. In this way it was shown that the use of silica gel facilitates reactions at high glycerol concentrations without alteration of reaction rates or conversion yields. It also was demonstrated that highly hydrophilic polyols enhanced blockage of the enzyme. The importance of the presence of an organic solvent in the reaction medium was shown to have a critical role in the conversion yields of the reactions tested. Finally, the influence of different supports used for adsorption of the substrates was compared with respect to their efficiency in protecting the enzymatic activity. JAOCS 74, 77-85 (1997).

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