High shear reactor for glycerolysis—Interesterification palm stearin-olein blend: Reaction kinetics and physical properties

Structured lipids containing high monoacylglycerol (MAG) and diacylglycerol (DAG) (SLs-MDAG) were synthesized by chemical glycerolysis-interesterification using sodium metasilicate as the catalyst in High Shear Reactor (HSR). The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of temperature on the glycerolysis-interesterification kinetics at relatively low temperatures in an HSR and the physical product properties. The reaction was performed using immiscible and highly viscous reactants at various temperatures (80–120°C) and a mixing rate of 2000 rpm for 5 h. Results showed that the reaction rate constant exponentially increased as temperature increased. Triacylglycerol (TAG) conversion was 2.5 fold greater at 110 and 120°C compared to lower reaction temperatures (80 and 90°C). MAG and DAG increased by about 18.3% and 13.4%, respectively, as the reaction temperature increased from 80 to 120°C. The product's melting point, hardness, and color were also improved by increasing temperature. In summary, SLs-MDAG could be produced at a relatively low temperature (110°C) using HSR. The glycerolysis-interesterification kinetic displayed an exponential relationship, even though it did not precisely fit the Arrhenius model.