Abstract

The n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3LCPUFA), EPA and DHA, have obtained an increasing attention due to their beneficial roles in human health. Salmon, mackerel, tuna, anchovy and sardine are the main sources for human consumption. The main goal of this study was to synthesize structured triacylglycerides (sTG), with EPA or DHA from belly oil of rainbowtrout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the sn-2 position and caprylic acid 8:0 (CA) in the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of the TG, through enzymatic esterification with the lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL) using supercritical CO2 (SCCO2 ) as a solvent of the reaction. The variables of the process included: LCPUFA:CA concentrate ratio, percentage of glycerol, time, temperature and pressure in SCCO2 , using the response surface methodology (RSM) through a central composite design of 25-1+star. The response variables studied were incorporation of EPA, DHA and CA in the sTG and multiple optimization of the incorporation of EPA with CA or DHA with CA in the sTG. The combined optimization of the variables, allowed to obtain an optimal sTG with 50% of CA and 16% of EPA and a sTG with 50% of CA and 12% of DHA in the structure.The mass spectrometry analysis resulted in the synthesis of acylglycerols with EPA or DHA at the position sn-2 of the structure. The results confirm the hypothesis that it is possible to synthesize TG that have in its structure high biological value molecules such as EPA and DHA.