Patent ID: 7759096
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: C12P

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing triglyceride esters of fatty acids comprising the steps of: (a) circulating a reaction mixture comprising glycerol, glycerides, or mixtures thereof in combination with fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof at least once through an enzymatic reaction zone A, wherein the enzymatic reaction zone A is maintained at a temperature in the range of about 35° C. to 70° C. and comprises an enzymatic catalyst, to obtain a mixture enriched in 1,3-diglycerides; (b) circulating the mixture enriched in 1,3-diglycerides at least once through a thermal reaction zone B maintained at a temperature at least 20° C. greater than that of enzymatic reaction zone A to thereby obtain a mixture enriched in 1,2-diglycerides; and (c) re-circulating the mixture enriched in 1,2-diglycerides at least one time through the enzymatic reaction zone A to produce a final product enriched in triglycerides, wherein the total circulation time through reaction zones A and B is less than 48 hours.