United States Patent:  5,989,599

Assignee:  Nestec S.A. (Vevey, CH)

Filed:  April 24, 1995

Improved process for the interesterification of a phospholipid with a triacyl glycerol is obtained by using an enzyme system containing immobilized lipase and immobilized phospholipase. The phospholipids obtained have better heat stabilized properties and better emulsifying properties than regular lecithin and may be used in emulsion systems or in coatings for instantized powders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process to modify the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids to exchange the long-chain unsaturated fatty acids with short- and medium-chain fatty acids.

Very surprisingly, it has now been found possible to interestenrfy triglycerides with phospholipids in the presence of immobilized lipase and immobilized phospholipase and so to incorporate short-chain fatty acid moieties in the positions 1 and 2 of the glycerol moiety. No significant increase in free fatty acids was detected at any time during the reaction. Furthermore, it was surprising that the modified lecithin was a better emulsifier than natural lecithin for some emulsion systems such as e. g. mayonnaise and salad dressing. Also the wettability of powders, particularly lecithinized milk and cocoa powders, was dramatically improved when lecithin modified according to the process of the invention was used. Another decisive advantage of the modified lecithins obtained by the process of the invention is that they did not show any adverse flavors.

Claim 1 of 20 Claims

1. A process for modifying a phospholipid material which comprises exchanging acyl groups in a phospholipid by enzymatic exchange with a triacyl glycerol that contains C₂ -C₁₂ saturated acyl groups, the reaction being conducted in the absence of a solvent with an enzymatic system consisting essentially of a mixture of an immobilized lipase and an immobilized phospholipase and at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to exchange acyl groups in the phospholipid material and form a modified phospholipid material.

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