Optimization of Bioactive Lipid Synthesis by Enzymatic Acidolysis Using EPA + DHA Concentrate from Rainbow Trout and Tocopherols from Maqui Seed Oil
A novel optimized bioactive lipid (OBL) rich in long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) was synthesized through enzymatic acidolysis using concentrated belly oil from rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>) (CB) and tocopherols obtained from cold-pressed maqui seed oil (<i>Aristotelia chilensis</i> (Mol.) Stuntz) (MSO) under supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> conditions. The reaction was catalyzed by <i>Candida antarctica</i> lipase B (CALB) and optimized using a 3<sup>2</sup> response surface design with 12 experimental runs and three central points, considering pressure (100-300 bar) and temperature (50-80 °C) as independent variables. The response variables included the concentrations of EPA, DHA, α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols, as well as β- and γ-tocotrienols. MSO contained 10.63, 25.62, and 53.55 g·100 g<sup>-1</sup> total fatty acids (TFAs) of α-linolenic, oleic, and linoleic acids, respectively, together with 280.95 mg α-tocopherol·kg<sup>-1</sup> and 89.75 mg β-tocotrienol·kg<sup>-1</sup>. The CB contained 49.57 g EPA + DHA·100 g<sup>-1</sup> TFAs. Optimal conditions (72.7 °C and 248.9 bar), experimentally validated at the RSM-predicted point, yielded an OBL containing 41.28 g EPA + DHA·100 g<sup>-1</sup> TFAs, 0.39 mg α-tocopherol·kg<sup>-1</sup>, 3.54 mg β-tocopherol·kg<sup>-1</sup>, 18.48 mg β-tocotrienol·kg<sup>-1</sup>, 6.92 mg γ-tocopherol·kg<sup>-1</sup>, and 16.36 mg γ-tocotrienol·kg<sup>-1</sup>. Oil quality evaluation using official AOCS methods showed that the OBL exhibited an acceptable oxidative status within international regulatory limits while retaining a measurable phenolic content and intermediate antioxidant capacity derived from MSO. This study demonstrates the successful synthesis of a stable OBL from agro-industrial by-products as a sustainable source of functional ingredients for food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications.
Authors
- Gretel Dovale-Rosabal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0334-3661)
- Liliana Maier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3723-2545)
- María Elsa Pando (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4548-6118)
- SANTIAGO P. AUBOURG
- Benjamín Claria
- Nalda Romero
- Evelyn Tapia
- Katherynne Mayorga
- Jenifer Sáez
- Nicolás Retamal
- Alicia Rodríguez
- Melissa Tsuchida
Institutions
- Universidad Santo Tomás (CL)
- University of Chile (CL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Foods
- Published
- 2026-02-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15030533
- Primary Topic
- Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Universidad de Chile
- Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas