Consumers are watching more carefully what they eat and what is written on food labels. The new trans fat labelling introduced in the USA in January 2006 has created a big interest in enzymatic interesterification for the production of trans-free margarine fats. Similar labelling was introduced in parts of Latin America in August 2006.
In July 2002 ADM built the first commercial units in the USA for enzymatic interesterification using Lipozyme® TL IM from Novozymes (see BioTimes Sept. 2003 and Sept. 2005). They were pioneers in the production of trans-free margarines and shortenings.
This issue of BioTimes contains an article about another pioneer - an Argentine company called Flora Dánica (see pages 8-9) that is the first in the world to produce trans-free fats using a new engineering solution developed jointly by Novozymes and Desmet Ballestra (see page 10). This is proof that a reliable and competitive process is available for large-scale enzymatic interesterification. It represents a breakthrough in the oils and fats industry. Now a real alternative to chemical interesterification is generally available. In comparison to the chemical process, enzymatic interesterification offers a clean technology that produces no effluents or unwanted by-products and requires little post-treatment of the interesterified oil.
Enzymes are biological catalysts that represent green technology. Being biological, they allow oils and fats to be processed in a more natural way. Time after time, in various industries, Novozymes has seen how enzymes can be used to replace harsh chemicals. Enzymes work under mild conditions and are more specific than chemicals, so they give fewer unwanted by-products, if any. For example, enzymatic degumming of vegetable oils gives rise to no soap whatsoever, unlike the traditional chemical refining method.
One thing is certain: the environmental regulations around the world are likely to become tougher in future, and enzymes can help companies to meet them.
Enzymes are finding their way into vegetable oil refineries all over the world, as demonstrated by previous degumming case stories in BioTimes from Egypt, the Ukraine and the USA. Novozymes is currently helping companies in many other countries to reap the benefits of enzymatic solutions for oils and fats processing. These companies see how enzymes can save them money while allowing them to make products that live up to consumer demands for healthy food and environmental responsibility.