Lipase‐catalyzed hydrolysis of palm oil

Abstract

Abstract The hydrolysis of palm oil, palm olein and palm stearin, soybean oil, corn oil and peanut oil by the commercial lipase from Candida rugosa (formerly known as C. cylindracea ) was studied. The optimal conditions for the hydrolysis of palm oil by the lipase were established. The lipase from C. rugosa exhibits an optimal activity at 37 C and at pH 7.5. The optimal oil to hexane ratio is 1 g of oil to 0.5 ml hexane. The rate of hydrolysis of palm oil by the lipase is linear on a logarithmic scale. Under the same conditions, palm oil and palm olein were hydrolyzed at the same rate, whereas palm stearin was hydrolyzed much more slowly.