The evolution of enzymatic interesterification in the oils and fats industry

Abstract

Immobilised lipases have now become accepted as a mainstream technology for fat modification. This paper presents the development of this technology in particular for the production of trans-free fats. One of the factors influencing this development has been concern for health, which has made trans fats a major issue for food manufacturers and consumers. Enzymatic interesterification is a relatively new method for producing trans-free alternatives for fats used in conventional margarines and shortenings. The development of this technology is examined from the perspective of an eventual industrial application rather than operation only at the laboratory scale. This paper also covers the practical means of operating immobilised enzyme columns and gives examples of how formulations can be adapted to match existing specifications. There are environmental benefits when choosing enzyme technology in comparison with chemical-based routes. Life cycle assessments have been used to quantify the differences in environmental impact of this new technology. The final process is both capable of providing fats with the correct melting properties but without trans fats and of reducing the environmental impact of fat processing. Finally, the future developments that are anticipated in the applications of this technology are considered.

Recent developments in edible oil processing

“…I continued my letter by explaining how analytical mistakes were responsible for this 'proof ' and concluded that the article should never have been published. -I do not mind articles being subjective because research itself is a subjective activity, but I object to articles being biased, or even misleading for commercial reasons and that is how I would characterise the comparison between the chemically catalysed and the enzymatically catalysed interesterification in an otherwise excellent article [63]. Moreover, when these biased statements are repeated often enough, they start to lead a life of their own and tend to be no longer questioned.…”

Oleochemical Industry Future through Biotechnology

“…On the other hand the enzymatic process is much simpler and carried out in a fixed-bed reactor under mild conditions. The end-product is ready to be deodorized without purification 64 .…”

Ecological aspects of the production and use of biodiesel

“…od pozyskania i przetwarzania surowca przez proces produkcyjny, dystrybucję, ostateczne użytkowanie i utylizację odpadów. Technika LCA jest głów-nie wykorzystywana do porównywania wpływu na środowisko dwóch lub więcej alternatywnych procesów zapewniających takie same korzyści [Holm, Cowan 2008].…”