MultOil, developed by Enzymotec (Migdal HaEmeq, Israel), retains desired key functional vegetable oil properties in food applications. Soy, olive, canola, corn, peanut, sunflower, cottonseed, palm and other popular oils can be processed with the company's patented Activation Modification Immobilization Enzyme Technology‚ (AMIET) to give them 25% phytosterol ester and 15% diglycerides (DAG). These compounds are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
According to Sobhi Basheer, Ph.D., developer of the process and company founder, AMIET enables a wide range of enzymes to perform in non-aqueous media, with high activity and recyclability, without losing their specificity or selectivity. Its uniqueness is due to its capability to match the right enzyme with a specific matrix to form a highly stable and active catalyst, which is applicable either in stirred vessels or fixed-bed reactors, he says. A dramatic cost reduction is achieved through single-step enzymatic reactions and the enzymes' recyclability.