The disclosure pertains to enzymatic modification of lecithin and to
hydrolyzed lecithin products obtained by such modification. One
particular implementation provides methods for producing a hydrolyzed
lecithin product containing hydrolyzed phospholipids, monoglycerides, and
diglycerides. For example, such a method may include the steps of: (a)
contacting a lecithin material, which includes a phospholipid component
and a triglyceride component, in an aqueous or organic solvent medium,
with a first enzyme effective to hydrolyze the phospholipid; and (b)
subsequently contacting the product of step (a) with a second enzyme,
effective to hydrolyze the triglyceride; under reaction conditions
effective to inhibit esterification of the hydrolyzed phospholipid with
released fatty acids.