GLA purification from Echium fastuosum seed oil in a two-step process:: Simultaneous PUFAs extraction/concentration and selective enzymatic esterification

The essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n6), which has several pharmaceutical properties, has been purified from Echium fastuosum seed oil. The procedure was effected through a two-step process. First, the oil was simultaneously extracted, saponified and concentrated by applying the solubility difference method, and then, the mother mixture containing the weakly concentrated GLA was esterified with Mucor javanicus lipase to further increase GLA purity Results obtained in the first step were GLA purity at 35.4% and GLA yield at 68.2%. After the selective esterification with M. javanicus lipase in the applied optimal conditions, GLA at 90.1% purity was obtained after three successive esterifications, with a final GLA yield of 56.9%.