Keyword : interesterification

Interesterification is essentially is a process which involves the rearrangement or redistribution of fatty acids attached to the glycerol part of the triglyceride molecule. The rearrangement can be either in random or direct manner – depending on the processing conditions. The reaction involved generally falls into one of the following categories:

• Acidolysis – reaction of fatty ester with an acid – usually a fatty acid
• Alcoholysis – reaction between fat and alcohol
• Transesterification – exchange of acid radicals from one ester to another

When carried out in the presence of catalysts, interesterification can be done at relatively low temperatures than when it is carried out without catalysts. The most commonly used catalysts are sodium methylate and ethylate, followed by sodium metal, sodium/potassium alloy and the hydroxide of sodium and potassium in combination with glycerol.