Optical isomers of chloropropanediols: Mechanisms of their formation and decomposition in protein hydrolysates

Protein hydrolysates produced by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis were analysed for 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol and its enantiomers. It was found that (R)-3-chloropropane-1,2-diol and (S)-3-chloropropane-1,2-diol were present inthe hydrolysates in equimolar concentrations. Model experiments with glycerol, triolein and soy lecithin heated with hydrochloric acid in solution showed that these materials were precursors of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol and 2-chloropropane-1,3-diol and, as expected, yielded racemic 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol. Yields of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diols decreased in the order triolein > lecithin > glycerol. The mechanisms of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol enantiomers formation during the production of protein hydrolysates are presented and discussed as well as the reaction pathways of their decomposition in alkaline media via the corresponding intermediates, (R)- and (S)-glycidol, respectively. Both epoxides are hydrolysed to glycerol and form a variety of products with hydrolysate constituents.