Acidolysis of Triglycerides Using Heterogeneous Acid Catalysts

AVILA A.; DAMIANI D.; TONETTO G.

Munich

Congreso; 15th International Congress on Catalysis; 2012

Structured lipids (SLs) can be defined as triacylglycerols (TAGs) that have been modified or restructured to change their fatty acid (FA) composition and/or their distribution in the glycerol molecule, designed for a nutritional or a specific technological use. Thus, the physical and functional properties of the TAG can be determined by selecting the type of FA and its position in the SL. In general, SLs are produced by base homogenous catalysis or enzymatic processes. The use of heterogeneous catalysts that render more efficient processes in terms of catalyst reuse, elimination of separation stages and lower catalyst costs, is an interesting aspect to study. The present work reports the synthesis of SLs by acidolysis of tripalmitin (PPP) and capric acid (C) with heterogeneous acid catalysts.