ObjectivesTo investigate the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of high purity sn-1/3 and sn-2 monoacylglycerols (1/3-MAG and 2-MAG) of different fatty acids (FAs).ResultsThe 1/3-MAGs of three FAs (16:0, 17:0, 16:1) were synthesized using lipase-catalyzed esterification of glycerol with FAs. The 2-MAGs were obtained from the ethanolysis of synthetic triacylglycerols using sn-1,3 regiospecific lipase. The effects of lipase types, substrate ratio, temperature, reaction time and lipase load on the MAG conversion were studied. Under the optimal conditions, high purities (96.74%, 95.44%, 92.96%) with acceptable isolated yields (51.00%, 54.28%, 46.00%) were obtained for 1/3-16:0-MAG, 1/3-17:0-MAG, and 1/3-16:1-MAG, respectively. For 2-16:0-MAG, 2-17:0-MAG, and 2-16:1-MAG, the purities were 92.64, 95.04, and 96.48%, with isolated yields of 50.64, 52.16, and 26.12%, respectively. The molecular structures of the synthetic compounds were confirmed by H-1 NMR, and MS and the melting points were characterized by DSC.ConclusionsHigh purity MAG isomers can be synthesized via lipase-catalyzed reactions to be building blocks for production of functional lipids, the melting points of which are largely governed by the hydrophobic interactions among the alkanyl chains.