Mesoporous Aluminosilicates as Catalyst Supports for Conjugated Linoleic Acid Formation by Hydrogenation/Isomerisation of Safflower Oil

Introduction During catalytic hydrogenation of vegetable oils, some of the naturally occurring cis double bonds are isomerized to trans fatty acids (TFA). High levels of trans fats in the diet are linked to higher occurrence of coronary health diseases [1]. However, all trans fatty acids are not harmful, some conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers are reported to have anticarcinogenic, -atherogenic, -diabetic and lean body mass-enhancing properties [2]. Noble metals are known as very active hydrogenation catalysts but their performance for conjugative isomerization has been scarcely reported. Even though there is evidence for the occurrence of CLA in partially hydrogenated oils, thorough investigation to optimize the production of CLA isomers has not been attempted using heterogeneous catalysts. The present work aims at studying the hydrogenation/isomerization of safflower oil over novel bifunctional Rh catalysts supported on mesoporous aluminosilicates. This approach is investigated as a new chemocatalytic technique to produce health-beneficial conjugated CLA.