Lipase-catalyzed ester exchange reactions in organic media with controlled humidity.

Immobilized lipase activity is studied in organic solvent systems of controlled water content under the influence of a variety of reaction parameters, such as temperature, relative humidity, substrate concentrations, and type of fatty acid used. Control of the amount of water in the reaction system was found to be a valuable tool for the orientation of the reaction process and for the determination of the final reaction products. The properties of the immobilized lipase were studied using the interesterification of triolein and palmitic acid as the model system.

Biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids by a mixed culture of rumen microorganisms.

The biohydrogenation of C-18 unsaturated fatty acids was examined in a mixed culture of microorganisms prepared by inoculating a proper growth medium with a sample of rumen fluid. Some major factors influencing the hydrogenation capacity have been investigated. The age of the mixed culture, the type of inoculum used, the concentration of substrates as well as the presence of sterile rumen fluid in the growth medium were found to be important factors determining biohydrogenation behavior.

Measurement of the glucose permeation rate across phospholipid bilayers using small unilamellar vesicles. Effect of membrane composition and temperature.

Small unilamellar vesicles were used to measure the permeability of saturated phosphatidylcholine bilayers to glucose. The presented method circumvents most of the common restriction of classical permeability experiments. Increasing the fatty acid chain length of the lipids reduced the permeation rate significantly.