Enzymatic enrichment of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid glycerides by selective hydrolysis

Molecular docking simulation reveals the lipase-substrate binding mechanism in the enzymatic synthesis of diacylglycerol-enriched vegetable oils

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a functional lipid that is naturally present in vegetable oils in limited concentrations (1 %-5 %). This study proposed an enzymatic method to afford high-content-DAG vegetable oils via a reaction catalyzed by an immobilized lipase, PS@OMS-C8, using high-speed homogenization and molecular distillation. Results indicated that 48.6 % DAG was initially obtained through the enzymatic glycerolysis of rapeseed oil with glycerol, of which 90.2 % was sn-1,3-DAG. PS@OMS-C8 maintained 35.5 % DAG content after 10 reuse cycles, confirming its catalytic stability; this was attributed to lipase immobilization on the ordered mesoporous silica that significantly improve the secondary protein structures, including α-helix and β-sheet, thereby strengthening the rigidity of PS@OMS-C8. In addition to producing DAG-enriched rapeseed oil, other edible oils with 39.4 %-50.2 % DAG content were obtained, as revealed via molecular docking simulation. This study offers new strategies for the sustainable synthesis of vegetable oils with a high content of functional lipids high-content functional lipids.

Highly efficient enzymatic enrichment of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid glycerides via interfacial biocatalysis in Pickering emulsions

A novel Pickering interfacial biocatalysis (PIB) system has been, for the first time, successfully applied for the enzymatic selective hydrolysis of algae oils and fish oils to enrich n-3 PUFAs glycerides. Lipase AY 400SD was identified and adsorbed on hydrophobic hollow core-shell silica nanoparticles, resulting in the formation of the immobilized enzyme AY 400SD@HMSS-C18. The biocatalyst was employed as an emulsifier to stabilize the water-in-oil Pickering emulsion, resulting in the successful construction of the PIB system. The newly developed PIB system resulted in a notable enhancement of the n-3 PUFAs content of the six oils, with a mean increase ranging from 9.17 % to 23.09 %, and with the recovery rate of n-3 PUFAs exceeded 90 %. The platform demonstrated to be stable and recyclable. The present research illustrated that the PIB has the potential to be a viable alternative for the purpose of enhancing the content of n-3 PUFAs in glycerides.

Positional distribution of DHA in triacylglycerols: natural sources, synthetic routes, and nutritional properties

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) present in high quantities in the mammalian brain and is a precursor of several metabolites. Clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of dietary DHA in infants and adults. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the most abundant components of many natural oils, and in specific oils (e.g., fish, algal oils, etc.), they represent the main molecular form of dietary DHA. The positional distribution of DHA in the TAG glycerol backbone (sn-2 vs. sn-1/3) varied among different sources. Recent studies have shown that in human breast milk, DHA is mainly esterified at the sn-2 position (∼50% DHA of the total DHA), thus attracting research interest regarding the nutritional properties of sn-2 DHA. In this review, we summarize the different sources of TAG in natural oils with high amounts of DHA, including fish, algae, and marine mammal oils, with a focus on their positional distribution. Methods for analyzing the distribution of fatty acids in TAG of high-PUFA oils are discussed, and the lipase-catalyzed synthetic routes of specific triacylglycerols with sn-2 DHA are summarized. Furthermore, we discuss the recent research progress on the nutritional properties of DHA associated with its positional distribution on TAGs.

Promoted expression of a lipase for its application in EPA/DHA enrichment and mechanistic insights into its substrate specificity

Expanding toolkits of EPA/DHA enrichment from natural sources is essential for better satisfying increasing demands for them. Lipase K80, from Proteus vulgaris K80, showed an application potential in EPA/DHA enrichment, whereas no desired heterologous expression in generally regarded as safe (GRAS) hosts restricted its relevant applications. In this study, expression of lipase K80 in a well-reputed GRAS host, Pichia pastoris, was achieved and further enhanced via combining disruption of its C-terminal KKL motif with co-expression of N-Acetyltransferase Mpr1, with a cumulative increment of nearly 200% in the secretion level and the volumetric activity. Its application in EPA/DHA enrichment from fish oil was thereafter obtained with merits of low temperature and much less time, yielding an increase of ~31% in their total percentage. To gain mechanistic insights into its substrate chain-length specificity, we performed molecular dynamics simulation and revealed the substrate-dependent significant yet divergent conformational shifts of predominantly distal surface-exposed regions, suggesting a predominant long-range modulation mechanism. Together, this work provided in-depth insights into substrate specificity of lipase K80 and an alternate engineering site, the C-terminal KKL motif, for its expression optimization in P. pastoris, as well as extended toolboxes of EPA/DHA enrichment and application scopes of lipase K80.

Pilot-Scale Enzymatic Conversion of Low Stability, High Free Fatty, Squid Oil to an Oxidatively Stable Astaxanthin-Rich Acylglyceride Oil Suitable for Nutritional Applications

Squid viscera, a byproduct of squid processing, contains oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids (up to 10% by mass) and the antioxidant astaxanthin. However, its high free fatty acid (FFA) content compromises stability. To address this, pilot-scale (200 L) enzymatic re-esterification of squid oil using immobilized lipase (Lipozyme RMIM) was demonstrated, resulting in high acylglyceride yields. The processed oil was analyzed for oxidation kinetics and thermodynamics using Rancimat, fatty acid composition using GC, omega-3 fatty acid positional distribution in the acylglyceride product using 13C NMR, and astaxanthin content. Lipase treatment reduced FFA levels from 44% to 4% and increased acylglycerides to 93% in squid oil. This reduction in FFA was accompanied by significantly increased stability (0.06 to 18.9 h by Rancimat). The treated oil showed no loss in astaxanthin (194.1 µg/g) or omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA remaining predominantly at sn-2 indicated that the naturally occurring positional distribution of this omega-3 FFA was retained in the product. Lipase treatment significantly enhanced oxidative stability, evidenced by improved thermodynamic parameters (Ea 94.15 kJ/mol, ΔH 91.09 kJ/mol, ΔS -12.6 J/mol K) and extended shelf life (IP25 74.42 days) compared to starting squid oil and commercial fish/squid oils lacking astaxanthin. Thus, lipase treatment offers an effective strategy for reducing FFA levels and producing oxidatively stable, astaxanthin-rich acylglyceride squid oil with DHA retained at the nutritionally favored sn-2 position.

Immobilization of lipase on mesoporous silica nanocarriers for efficient preparation of phytosterol esters

Phytosterol esters (PEs) are favored for their good solubility, high bioavailability, and various health benefits. Mesoporous silica (MS) nanocarriers were synthesized and utilized to immobilize free lipase AYS "Amano" (from Candida rugosa) for further preparing PEs. The optimal immobilization conditions were an initial enzyme content of 160 mg/mL, pH of 7.0, temperature of 30 °C, and adsorption time of 6 h, resulting in a protein loading of 42.3 mg/g and an immobilization efficiency of 73.4 %. Compared to commercial carriers, MS carriers demonstrated superior immobilization efficiency and phytosterol conversion rates when soybean oil was used as the PEs source for the transesterification. The phytosterol conversion rate reached 97.7 % in a solvent system with optimal reaction conditions. After 30 days of storage, the immobilized lipase retained 55.7 % of its activity, and it had 63.0 % retention activity after 10 reuse cycles. This study significantly enhanced the lipase's phytosterols conversion and reusability, supporting sustainable and efficient industrial production of PEs.

Concentration of docosahexaenoic acid from tuna oil via a two lipase-catalyzed reaction

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was concentrated successfully in the glyceride fractions from tuna oil via a two-step enzyme reaction involving hydrolysis and ethanolysis. In the first step, Candida rugosa lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis was carried out to concentrate DHA in the glyceride fractions. The DHA content in the glyceride fraction after hydrolysis increased from 30% in the initial tuna oil to 46%. In the second step, Lipozyme RM IM-catalyzed ethanolysis was conducted with the reaction mixture from the first step to further concentrate DHA in the glyceride fraction. In this step, the reaction mixture obtained from the first step was employed directly in Lipozyme RM IM-catalyzed ethanolysis without additional steps needed to remove free fatty acid. Finally, DHA was concentrated from an initial content of 30% in the tuna oil to 68.4% in the glyceride fractions via a novel two-step enzyme reaction strategy.

Candida antartica lipase-catalyzed esterification for efficient partial acylglycerol synthesis in solvent-free system: Substrate selectivity, molecular modelling and optimization

Partial acylglycerols are valued for their emulsifying and stabilizing properties, yet precise green synthesis remains challenging due to low yield and selectivity. This study aimed to elucidate the "lipase selectivity-substrate structure-product composition" relationship to enhance the yield of targeted partial acylglycerol. The results showed that lipase exhibited a greater selectivity towards fatty acids with shorter chain lengths and higher unsaturation. Hydroxyl donors also affected the esterification process, with the enzyme-acyl complex exhibiting selectivity towards hydroxyl donors as follows: glycerol > monoacylglycerol > diacylglycerol. Substrate ratio significantly influenced enzymatic reactions; a 10:1 ratio favored triacylglycerol formation (>80 %), while a 1:1 ratio produced > 90 % partial acylglycerols. Molecular docking simulations revealed that substrates primarily interacted with lipase through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. A comprehensive understanding of lipase selectivity patterns could facilitate the design of more efficient reaction systems, enabling the conversion of basic lipid resources into desired high value-added products.

Preparation of medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by bio-imprinted lipase-catalyzed interesterification

Medium and long-chain triacylglycerol (MLCT) rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were obtained in three-hour interesterification of fish oil with medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCTs), using lipase bio-imprinted with surfactant as a catalyst. Initially, for bio-imprinted lipase preparation, the interesterification reaction conditions were optimized, resulting in a lipase with 1.47 times higher catalytic activity compared to control (non-bio-imprinted). Afterwards, the reaction conditions for MLCT synthesis were optimized, using bio-imprinted lipase as a catalyst. The reaction reached equilibrium within first three hours at 70 °C temperature, 4 wt% lipase load, and molar ratio of substrate 1:1.5. Under these conditions, final product contained 18.52% MCT, 56.65% MLCT, and 24.83% long-chain triacylglycerol (LCT). To reduce the MCT content, a solvent extraction process was performed, yielding 2.42% MCT, 56.19% MLCT, and 41.39% LCT. The obtained structured lipids (SLs), enriched in n-3 PUFAs, offer significant health benefits, enhanced bioavailability, with potential applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Preparation of functional oils rich in phytosterol esters and diacylglycerols by enzymatic transesterification

Phytosterol esters (PEs) and diacylglycerols (DAGs) have various health benefits in humans. In this study, PEs and DAGs were synthesized by lipase-catalyzed transesterification between a natural oil and phytosterols. First, commercial lipases were screened for transesterification and were further verified using multiple-ligand molecular docking. AYS "Amano" (a lipase from Candida rugosa) was found to be the optimum lipase. Subsequently, the enzymatic transesterification conditions were optimized. The optimized conditions were determined to be a 1:2 M ratio of phytosterols to oil, 100 mmol/L phytosterols, and 9 % AYS "Amano", and 50 °C for 24 h in 20 mL n-hexane. Under these conditions, over 70 % of phytosterols were converted to PEs. In this study, an efficient enzymatic process was developed to produce value-added functional oils rich in PEs and DAGs, with PEs content ≥ 31.6 %, DAGs content ≥ 11.2 %, acid value ≤ 0.91 mg KOH/g, and peroxide value ≤ 2.38 mmol/kg.

Marine-Derived Lipases for Enhancing Enrichment of Very-Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with Reference to Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are not synthesised by the human body and have been linked with the prevention of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the current dietary habits of the majority of the population include lower omega-3 content compared to omega-6, which does not promote good health. To overcome this, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies aim to produce omega-3-fortified foods. For this purpose, various approaches have been employed to obtain omega-3 concentrates from sources such as fish and algal oil with higher amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Among these techniques, enzymatic enrichment using lipase enzymes has gained tremendous interest as it is low in capital cost and simple in operation. Microorganism-derived lipases are preferred as they are easily produced due to their higher growth rate, and they hold the ability to be manipulated using genetic modification. This review aims to highlight the recent studies that have been carried out using marine lipases for the enrichment of omega-3, to provide insight into future directions. Overall, the covalent bond-based lipase immobilization to various support materials appears most promising; however, greener and less expensive options need to be strengthened.

Characterization of a New Thermostable and Organic Solution-Tolerant Lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens and Its Application in the Enrichment of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

The search for and characterization of new lipases with excellent properties has always been urgent and is of great importance to meet industrial needs. In this study, a new lipase, lipB, from Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25, belonging to the lipase subfamily I.3, was cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis WB800N. Enzymatic properties studies of recombinant LipB found that it exhibited the highest activity towards p-nitrophenyl caprylate at 40 °C and pH 8.0, retaining 73% of its original activity after incubation at 70 °C for 6 h. In addition, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ba²⁺ strongly enhanced the activity of LipB, while Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, and CTAB showed an inhibiting effect. The LipB also displayed noticeable tolerance to organic solvents, especially acetonitrile, isopropanol, acetone, and DMSO. Moreover, LipB was applied to the enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil. After hydrolyzing for 24 h, it could increase the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids from 43.16% to 72.18%, consisting of 5.75% eicosapentaenoic acid, 19.57% docosapentaenoic acid, and 46.86% docosahexaenoic acid, respectively. The properties of LipB render it great potential in industrial applications, especially in health food production.

Comparative Lipidomics Profiling of Acylglycerol from Tuna Oil Selectively Hydrolyzed by Thermomyces Lanuginosus Lipase and Candida Antarctica Lipase A

Lipase hydrolysis is an effective method to develop different functional types of lipids. In this study, tuna oil was partially hydrolyzed at 30% and 60% by Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TL 100 L) and Candida Antarctica lipase A (ADL), respectively, to obtain lipid-modified acylglycerols. The lipidomic profiling of the acylglycerols was investigated by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and GC-MS to clarify the lipid modification effect of these two lipases on tuna oil. The results showed that 247 kinds of acylglycerols and 23 kinds of fatty acids were identified in the five samples. In the ADL group, the content of triacylglycerols (TAG) and diacylglycerols (DAG) increased by 4.93% and 114.38%, respectively, with an increase in the hydrolysis degree (HD), while there was a decreasing trend in the TL 100 L group. TL 100 L had a better enrichment effect on DHA, while ADL was more inclined to enrich EPA and hydrolyze saturated fatty acids. Cluster analysis showed that the lipids obtained by the hydrolysis of TL 100 L and ADL were significantly different in the cluster analysis of TAG, DAG, and monoacylglycerols (MAG). TL 100 L has strong TAG selectivity and a strong ability to hydrolyze acylglycerols, while ADL has the potential to synthesize functional lipids containing omega-3 PUFAs, especially DAG.

Functional and emulsification characteristics of phospholipids and derived o/w emulsions from peony seed meal

Peony seed phospholipids (PPLs), a kind of multifunctional plant-like phospholipids were extracted from peony seed meal. We investigated the functional properties of PPLs and compared their emulsification performance in corn oil-peony seed oil o/w emulsion systems with that of soy lecithin (DPLs). The PPLs were characterized with the higher content of phosphatidylcholine (PC) (416 ± 28 mg/g) and lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) (43 ± 14 mg/g) fractions, and lower content of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (71 ± 13 mg/g). The polyunsaturated fatty acids showed higher content (83.25%), with the highest content of linoleic acid (46.05%) in PPLs. PPLs-emulsions showed smaller average particle size and higher loaded peony seed oil content at pH 5, temperature 50 °C, and about 60% corn oil content. PPLs-emulsions imparted better hydroxyl radical scavenging efficiency and reducing power than DPLs. Our results suggest that PPLs can be used as emulsifiers with improved antioxidant properties.

Future of Structured Lipids: Enzymatic Synthesis and Their New Applications in Food Systems

Structured lipids (SLs) refer to a new type of functional lipid obtained by modifying natural triacylglycerol (TAG) through the restructuring of fatty acids, thereby altering the composition, structure, and distribution of fatty acids attached to the glycerol backbones. Due to the unique functional characteristics of SLs (easy to absorb, low in calories, reduced serum TAG, etc.), there is increasing interest in the research and application of SLs. SLs were initially prepared using chemical methods. With the wide application of enzymes in industries and the advantages of enzymatic synthesis (mild reaction conditions, high catalytic efficiency, environmental friendliness, etc.), synthesis of SLs using lipase has aroused great interest. This review summarizes the reaction system of SL production and introduces the enzymatic synthesis and application of some of the latest SLs discussed/developed in recent years, including medium- to long-chain triacylglycerol (MLCT), diacylglycerol (DAG), EPA- and DHA-enriched TAG, human milk fat substitutes, and esterified propoxylated glycerol (EPG). Lastly, several new ways of applying SLs (powdered oil, DAG plastic fat, inert gas spray oil, and emulsion) in the future food industry are also highlighted.

The High ‘Lipolytic Jump’ of Immobilized Amano A Lipase from Aspergillus niger in Developed ‘ESS Catalytic Triangles’ Containing Natural Origin Substrates

Lipase Amano A from Aspergillus niger (AA-ANL) is among the most commonly applied enzymes in biocatalysis processes, making it a significant scientific subject in the pharmaceutical and medical disciplines. In this study, we investigated the lipolytic activity of AA-ANL immobilized onto polyacrylic support IB-150A in 23 oils of natural origin containing various amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). The created systems were expressed as an ‘ESS catalytic triangle’. A distinct ‘jump’ (up to 2400%) of lipolytic activity of immobilized AA-ANL compared to free lipase and hyperactivation in mostly tested substrates was observed. There was a ‘cutoff limit’ in a quantitative mutual ratio of ω-PUFAs/MUFAs, for which there was an increase or decrease in the activity of the immobilized AA-ANL. In addition, we observed the beneficial effect of immobilization using three polyacrylic supports (IB-150A, IB-D152, and IB-EC1) characterized by different intramolecular interactions. The developed substrate systems demonstrated considerable hyperactivation of immobilized AA-ANL. Moreover, a ‘lipolytic jump’ in the full range of tested temperature and pH was also observed. The considerable activity of AA-ANL-IB-150A after four reuse cycles was demonstrated. On the other hand, we observed an essential decrease in stability of immobilized lipase after 168 h of storage in a climate chamber. The tested kinetic profile of immobilized AA-ANL confirmed the increased affinity to the substrate relative to lipase in the free form.