Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 38 (1) March 2026, p. 166-173
SYNTHESIS OF LAURIC-RICH MEDIUM-CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES FROM PALM KERNEL OIL AND LAURIC ACID BY ENZYMATIC ACIDOLYSIS
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2025.0010
Received: 1 April 2024 Accepted: 22 November 2024 Published Online: 21 February 2025
Oil palm fresh fruit bunches contain two types of oil: Palm kernel oil (PKO) from the palm kernel and crude palm oil from the fruit flesh. Enzymatic acidolysis of PKO and lauric acid can produce mediumchain triglycerides (MCT), which offer nutritional and health benefits. This study aimed to synthesise laurate-rich MCT through enzymatic acidolysis. The reaction used an immobilised NS 400190 lipase catalyst (Novozyme). Variables included reaction time (0-48 hr), temperature (44 <sup>o</sup>C-104<sup>o</sup>C), substrate ratio of PKO to lauric acid (1:1-1:11, molar basis), and an enzyme load of 7% w/w. The MCT yield (%) was analysed by determining the triglyceride’s fatty acid composition using gas chromatography (GC). Results indicated that lauric acid incorporation increased with treatment time. GC analysis revealed that the highest lauric acid triglyceride profile occurred at 24 hr, 94oC, and a substrate ratio of 1: 9, achieving 81.4% lauric acid incorporation. The enzyme demonstrated thermophilic properties, with an optimal temperature of 94oC. The NS 400190 lipase enzyme exhibited significant operational stability, with a halflife of 1517 hr in the acidolysis reaction.
KEYWORDS:1 Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara,
Padang Bulan, Medan 20155, Indonesia.
2 Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara,
Padang Bulan, Medan 20155, Indonesia.
3 Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute,
Kp. Baru, Medan Maimun, Medan 20158, Indonesia.
* Corresponding author e-mail: elisa1@usu.ac.id