Monoacylglycerols (MAG) containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been synthesized by glycerolysis of anchovy oil using Lipozyme RM-IM in a solvent-free system. The experimental conditions, reaction temperature, substrate molar ratio (glycerol/triacylglycerol, Gly/TAG) and enzyme concentration were studied. A response surface methodology was employed to analyze the effect of the individual variables on MAG production and oxidative stability with respect to induction time. The operating conditions that simultaneously optimized MAG yields and oxidative stability were a reaction temperature of 40 °C, a Gly/TAG molar ratio of 2:1 and 6% enzyme load. The yield obtained was 20.34% of MAG (with 12.12% of 2-MAG) and an induction time of 1.88 h.
