Lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of menhaden oil with conjugated linoleic acid: Effect of water content

The effect of the water content on the lipase‐catalyzed (Candida rugosa) interesterification (acidolysis) of menhaden oil with conjugated linoleic acid was studied for amounts of added water ranging from 0–4% (w/w). The rate of the acidolysis reaction increased with increasing water content, but the corresponding percentage of n‐3 fatty acids liberated also increased. The implications of water content for minimization of the release of n‐3 fatty acid residues while maximizing incorporation of CLA are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 78: 509–516, 2002.