Improved Synthesis of α-Glycerol Monolaurate Using Lipozyme TL IM.

This study aimed to synthesize α-Glycerol Monolaurate from protected glycerol (glycerol 1,2-acetonide) using Lipozym TL IM as a catalyst. In the first step, transesterification of methyl laurate and glycerol 1,2-acetonide with Lipozyme TL IM produced 1,2-acetonide-3-lauryl glycerol. In the second step, deprotection of 1,2-acetonide-3-lauryl glycerol with Amberlyst-15 produced α-Glycerol Monolaurate. Furthermore, the optimum yield (82.1%) of 1,2-acetonide-3-lauryl glycerol (light yellow liquid, purity of 92%) was achieved at a reactant mole ratio of 1, n-hexane (4 mL) with a reaction time of 12 hours, and total Lipozyme TL IM of 5% (w/w of the total weight of reactants) at a temperature of 35°C. Deprotection of 1,2-acetonide-3-lauryl glycerol with Amberlyst-15 was conducted at room temperature for 24 hours. At a melting point of 62.8°C, and purity of 100% α-Glycerol Monolaurate in the form of a white solid was obtained with a yield of 74.6% after the recrystallization of the crude product. This α-glycerol monolaurate synthesis reaction pathway can be referred to as a green α-monoacylglyceride synthesis method.