The invention relates to a method for the enzymatic production of
emulsifiers containing mono- and diacylglycerides. In a first step a), a
mixture of a phospholipid component and a triacylglyceride component is
prepared, then in step b) a quantity of an aqueous solution containing a
(phospho)lipase is added to the mixture obtained, to produce a water
content of the mixture of between 3 and 15 wt. %. In a subsequent step
c), the mixture obtained in the previous step is reacted at a temperature
ranging between 20.degree. and 80.degree. C. over a period of at least
two hours and said mixture is then dried. Crude soy lecithin and
vegetable and/or animal oils, which are reacted together with a mixture
of lipase and/or phospholipase as the enzymatic component, are
particularly suitable as components. Said method, which does not require
the usual organic solvents, polyols or ionic additives and which only
requires a small quantity of water, permits the production of
emulsifiers, whose composition of lysophospholipids and
mono-/diacylglycerides can be adjusted in a targeted manner. Said
emulsifiers, which can also be obtained in liquid form, are used in the
foodstuff and cosmetic industries.