Abstract:

This study was intended to model and optimize the reaction conditions for enzymatic esterification of ferulic acid
with maize germ oil using a commercial lipase, Lipozyme RM IM, in a solvent system to obtain feruloylated acylglycerols
by response surface methodology (RSM). The experiments were designed with central composite design. The reaction
factors investigated were molar ratio of maize germ oil to ferulic acid, temperature and time. The yield of feruloylated
acylglycerols was selected as the response variable. All the factors investigated significantly affected the yield of feruloylated
acylglycerols. The optimal reaction conditions were found to be a molar ratio of maize germ oil to ferulic acid of 8.9:1 (g/g),
76.0 ℃ and 28.1 h, leading to a feruloylated acylglycerol yield of 59.1%, which was in good agreement with the predicted
value of 58.8%. The prepared acylglycerols produced low polymer during frying process, and they had high storage stability.

Key words: ferulic acid, feruloylated acylglycerols, response surface methodology, stability