Regioselective analysis of triacylglycerols by lipase hydrolysis

A modified procedure for the regiospecific analysis of triacylglycerols (TAG) with a 1,3‐specific lipase is described. After partial lipase hydrolysis of the triacylglycerol, the released free fatty acids (FFA) and 1,2(2,3)‐diacylglycerols (DAG) were isolated by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) and converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The FAME were analyzed by gas‐liquid chromatography (GLC). The 1,3‐specific lipases used in this study included supported preparations from strains ofMucor miehei andRhizopus oryzae. The method also was applied to the regiospecific analyses of tung nut and Chinese melon seed oil triacyglycerols, both of which contain high proportions of α‐elaeostearic acid. The TAG composition of the oils was substantiated in parallel analysis of the oils by highperformance liquid chromatography with chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection of intact TAG.