Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2017, 8, 658-677 http://www.scirp.org/journal/fns ISSN Online: 2157-9458 ISSN Print: 2157-944X DOI: 10.4236/fns.2017.86047 June 28, 2017 Response Surface Optimization of a Solvent Free Production of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 Isomers of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Using High Linoleic Sunflower Oil Sara Koohikamali 1,2 1 Department of Food Science and Technology, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 2 Young Researchers Club, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Abstract The most dominant and beneficial conjugated linoleic acids isomers (CLAs) with miscellaneous biological tasks are 9c11t-C18:2 and 10t12c-C18:2. The problem with most of the commercial CLA produced by non-optimized con- ventional approaches is the heterogeneity of their isomers and undesirable toxic by-products. In this study, optimization of the isomerization of the fatty acid methyl esters of the high linoleic sunflower oil was investigated through response surface methodology (RSM). The reaction temperature, the concen- tration of PEG400 and NaOCH 3 had positive influence on the total conjugated linoleic acid methyl esters (CLAME) production as response. However, the effect of the polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) concentration was more signi- ficant on response than those of other factors (p < 0.05). The reaction time and the interactions between the factors had no significant effect on response (p ≥ 0.05). The optimum point for the maximum response of 72.90% (i.e., based on the mass percentage of total fatty acid methyl esters mixture) was at 5% w/w NaOCH 3 , 1.06% w/w PEG400 and temperature of 140˚C. Keywords CLA Methyl Esters, Isomerization, Commercial CLA, RSM, Phase Transfer Catalyst, PEG400 1. Introduction Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been found to be an extraordinary essential fatty acid with miscellaneous functional effects on the human body. The most beneficial CLA isomers participate with biological performance are 9c11t-C18:2 How to cite this paper: Koohikamali, S. (2017) Response Surface Optimization of a Solvent Free Production of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 Isomers of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Using High Linoleic Sun- flower Oil. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 8, 658-677. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2017.86047 Received: May 9, 2017 Accepted: June 25, 2017 Published: June 28, 2017 Copyright © 2017 by author and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access