Effect of natural antioxidants on the lipase activity in the course of batch and continuous glycerolysis of babassu oil.

The effects of several natural antioxidants (copaiba oil, buriti oil, cocoa butter, tucuman butter, oregano and white thyme) were assessed in the enzymatic synthesis of monoglycerides (MAG) from the glycerolysis of babassu oil. The reactions were catalyzed by Burkholderia cepacia lipase immobilized on SiO2-PVA and the assays carried out in batch and continuous runs. Results were compared with those attained in the control reactions (without any strategy to avoid oxidation), and the best approach was tested in a continuous packed-bed reactor.