Synthesis of healthy diglyceride-rich vegetable oils on basic catalysts

C. FERRETTI; L. SPOTTI; ISABEL DI COSIMO

Denver-Colorado

Congreso; 25rd North American Catalysis Society Meeting; 2017

North American Catalysis Society

Vegetable oils are mainly composed of triglycerides (TG). Diglycerides (DG) are esters of glycerol with different forms: the asymmetrical 1,2-DG and the symmetrical 1,3-DG isomers. Compared with TG, the regular intake of DG, in particular the 1,3-DG isomer, has a positive effect in preventing bodyweight gain and obesity-related diseases. These beneficial effects are related to its distinct metabolic pathway compared to TG and 1,2-DG rather than to a reduced energy content [2]. The metabolism of the 1,3-DG isomer avoids re-synthesis of TG and the consequent fat deposit in the body tissues. In this work we study the synthesis of DG from vegetable oils using MgO as a solid catalyst.