Immobilization of CALB on Semi-Janus Particles Improves Its Performance in Biphasic Synthesis of DHA Glycerides

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) glycerides are regarded as ideal functional lipids due to their high bioavailability and safety, although their efficient enzymatic synthesis faces major challenges. Herein, crescent-shaped amphiphilic semi-Janus-poly(acrylic acid)/poly(styrene) particles (JPP) and semi-Janus-poly(vinylidene imine)/octadecane particles (JPO) were prepared and used as carriers for Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) to improve its performance in the synthesis of DHA glycerides. The surface properties of the enzyme carrier could significantly affect enzymatic performance. Immobilization of CALB on the hydrophilic side of JPO (CALB@JPO(W)) significantly enhanced its activity and stability. Compared with free enzyme, CALB@JPO(W) exhibited a 2.19-fold enhancement in catalytic efficiency, increased optimal reaction temperature from 70 to 80 °C, and substantially improved thermal stability (retaining 70% of its initial activity after 1 h of incubation at 80 °C). JPO was simultaneously employed as a solid stabilizer and a carrier to enrich the biocatalyst at the interface, forming a Pickering emulsion interfacial catalysis system for the production of DHA glycerides. The yield of DHA glycerides catalyzed by CALB@JPO(W) reached 21.35%, representing a 72.66% improvement over free CALB. These results demonstrate that the reported Pickering emulsion interfacial catalysis system provides a potential strategy for the efficient production of functional lipids.