CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Lecithins are a mixture of acetone insoluble phos- pholipids, containing mainly phosphatidylcholine (PC),pholipids, containing mainly phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI),phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), minor compounds such as phosphatidic acid (PA), andminor compounds such as phosphatidic acid (PA), and other minor substances such as carbohydrates [1]. Theother minor substances such as carbohydrates [1]. The introduction of changes in the original concentration ofintroduction of changes in the original concentration of these phospholipids, by chemical or enzymatic modifica-these phospholipids, by chemical or enzymatic modifica- tion of their structure can lead to lecithins with differenttion of their structure can lead to lecithins with different physicochemical and functional properties, with respect tophysicochemical and functional properties, with respect to native lecithin. These modified compounds can be used innative lecithin. These modified compounds can be used in the development of a variety of food products, such asthe development of a variety of food products, such as margarines, chocolates and bakery products [2, 3]. Enzy-margarines, chocolates and bakery products [2, 3]. Enzy- matic hydrolyzed lecithin may present technological andmatic hydrolyzed lecithin may present technological and commercial advantages over native lecithins as O/Wcommercial advantages over native lecithins as O/W emulsifier and mold- or pan-releasing agent. Consequently,emulsifier and mold- or pan-releasing agent. Consequently, the demand for lysolecithin has been increasing in recentthe demand for lysolecithin has been increasing in recent years [4, 5]. PLA2 is the most employed family of enzymesyears [4, 5]. PLA2 is the most employed family of enzymes for the modification of lecithins [6]. These enzymes play anfor the modification of lecithins [6]. These enzymes play an important role in biochemical processes such as turnover of membrane phospholipids or the regulation of bioactive membrane phospholipids or the regulation of bioactive membrane phospholipids or the regulation of bioactive membrane phospholipids or the regulation of bioactive membrane phospholipids or the regulation of bioactive membrane phospholipids or the regulation of bioactive important role in biochemical processes such as turnover of membrane phospholipids or the regulation of bioactive substances, e.g. lysophospholipids, fatty acids, and lipid mediators in inflammatory and digestion processes [7, 8]. 7, 8]. In Argentina, the production of sunflower oils is of utmost importance with the consequent economic relevance [9]. Sunflower lecithin, i.e. a byproduct of the de-gumming9]. Sunflower lecithin, i.e. a byproduct of the de-gumming process of oils [10, 12], is an alternative to soybean lecithin 10, 12], is an alternative to soybean lecithin because it is considered to be a non-GMO product, which is currently preferred by certain consumers. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the influence of the main operating conditions on the applica- tion of an enzymatic hydrolysis on sunflower lecithin at laboratory scale. This study seeks to contribute to the oil industry with useful information for rescaling this modifi- cation process, in order to increase the value-added of