Production of monoacylglycerols (MAGs) rich in x-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) was conducted
through short path distillation (SPD) of an acylglycerol mixture (containing 67% MAGs) produced
by enzymatic glycerolysis of sardine oil with glycerol. A stepwise SPD process in a UIC KDL 5 system (vacuum
10 3 mbar, feeding flow 1.0 mL/min) was proceeded: the first distillation performed at evaporator
temperature (TE) of 110 C to remove glycerol completely and most of FFAs; and the second distillation
at optimized TE 155 C; resulting in a stream distillate with 91% purity and 94% overall recovery of
MAGs. This work also demonstrated that SPD is able to concentrate n-3 PUFAs in MAG form by distilling
at proper TE e.g. 125 C, where n-3 PUFAs are concentrated in the residues. Moreover, this work mapped
out a complete processing diagram for scalable production of n-3 PUFAs enriched MAGs as potential food
emulsifier and ingredient.
