Compositions and methods for making and modifying oils
Inventors
Lam, David • Weiner, David • Hitchman, Timothy • Barton, Nelson R. • Lyon, Jonathan
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8557551-B2
Publication Date
2013-10-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention provides novel methods for making or modifying oils, e.g., plant, animal or microbial oils, such as vegetable oils or related compounds, that are low in a particular fatty acid(s), for example, low linoleic oils, low linolenic oils, low palmitic oils, low stearic oils or oils low in a combination thereof.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to hydrolase enzymes, including esterases, acylases, lipases, phospholipases, and proteases, and to encoding nucleic acids for expressing such polypeptides. The document describes thermostable or thermotolerant hydrolase variants that are regioselective and/or chemoselective, including selectively acting lipase and phospholipase activities and polypeptides defined by SEQ ID references. These enzymes are used for biocatalytic modification of oils and lipids, including hydrolysis and transesterification processes.
The disclosed invention relates to making an oil or a glyceride low in palmitic acid by contacting an oil or a glyceride comprising palmitic acid with a polypeptide that selectively hydrolyzes palmitic acid and then removing the hydrolyzed palmitic acid from the oil or glyceride. The polypeptide is specified by an explicit sequence identity (SEQ ID NO:924) and is characterized as selectively hydrolyzing palmitic acid.
The document further describes methods in which selective hydrolysis is combined with downstream processing concepts, including structured-lipid formation contexts and analytical characterization. Additionally, phospholipases for oil degumming, PLC-mediated degumming simulation, and expression of hydrolases for oil degumming are described as part of the broader characterization and application context.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claim structure centers on two main inventive elements: contacting an oil or a glyceride with a specific SEQ ID NO:924 polypeptide that selectively hydrolyzes palmitic acid, and removing the hydrolyzed palmitic acid from the oil or glyceride. Dependent claims further refine polypeptide identity/scope, removal process options, contacting conditions, and timing relative to degumming.
Selective palmitic-acid hydrolysis using a SEQ ID NO:924 polypeptide
Contacting an oil or a glyceride comprising palmitic acid with a polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO:924 wherein the polypeptide selectively hydrolyzes palmitic acid.
Removal of hydrolyzed palmitic acid from the oil or glyceride
Removing the hydrolyzed palmitic acid from the oil or glyceride after the contacting step.
Specified hydrolyzing polypeptide sequence
Using the polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid sequence specified as SEQ ID NO:923.
Removal process limited to steam distillation, saponification, or silica
Removing the hydrolyzed palmitic acid by a process selected from a group consisting of steam distillation, a saponification reaction, or use of a silica.
Contacting reaction condition pH 4 to 10
Using contacting reaction conditions comprising a pH in the range from about 4 to about 10.
Timing relative to degumming step
Adding the polypeptide to the oil or the glyceride before a degumming step, during a degumming step, after a degumming step, or a combination thereof.
Across the claims shown, the inventive coverage focuses on making an oil or glyceride low in palmitic acid by selective hydrolysis with a SEQ ID NO:924 polypeptide, followed by removal of the hydrolyzed palmitic acid. The dependent claims further narrow the polypeptide definition, the extent of palmitic-acid depletion, the removal process, the pH range, and the timing of addition relative to degumming.
Stated Advantages
Produces an oil or a glyceride low in palmitic acid.
Enables selective hydrolysis of palmitic acid from an oil or glyceride.
Allows removal of hydrolyzed palmitic acid from the oil or glyceride.
Optionally provides complete lack of palmitic acid when the polypeptide hydrolyzes all palmitic acid.
Produces an oil or glyceride completely lacking palmitic acid.
Documented Applications
Making an oil or a glyceride low in palmitic acid by contacting with a selective palmitic-acid-hydrolyzing polypeptide and removing the hydrolyzed palmitic acid.
Degumming of vegetable oils using phospholipases.
Oil processing contexts including degumming simulation and expression of hydrolases for oil degumming.
Structured-lipid and triglyceride characterization in contexts including acyl migration, interesterification/esterification, and analytical characterization.
Industrial and medical applications of immobilized hydrolases in oil processing and related transformations.
Oil processing applications including oil degumming and caustic refining themes, including conversion of phospholipids and gums using phospholipase C (PLC) and related downstream oil refinement benefits.
Structured lipid synthesis applications involving enzymatic lipid transformations for DAGs, MAGs, and TAGs and cocoa butter alternatives.
Phytosterol purification.
Medical and research applications of lipid-related transformations.
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