Mat Sahri Miskandar

Application of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), HPLC and pNMR for interpretation primary crystallisation caused by combined low and high melting TAGs

The main goal of the present work was to assess the mechanism of crystallisation, more precisely the dominant component responsible for primary crystal formations and fat agglomerations. Therefore, DSC results exhibited significant effect on temperature transition; peak sharpness and enthalpy at palm stearin (PS) levels more than 40wt.%. HPLC data demonstrated slight reduction in the content of POO/OPO at PS levels less than 40wt.%, while the excessive addition of PS more than 40wt.% increased significantly PPO/POP content. The pNMR results showed significant drop in SFC for blends containing PS less than 40wt.%, resulting in low SFC less than 15% at body temperature (37°C). Moreover, the values of viscosity (η) and shear stress (τ) at PS levels over 40wt.% expressed excellent internal friction of the admixtures. All the data reported indicate that PPO/POP was the major component of primary nucleus developed. In part, the levels of PS should be less than 40wt.%, if these blends are designed to be used for margarine production.

Effect of blending and emulsification on thermal behavior, solid fat content, and microstructure properties of palm oil-based margarine fats.

The ability of palm oil (PO) to crystallize as beta prime polymorph has made it an attractive option for the production of margarine fat (MF). Palm stearin (PS) expresses similar crystallization behavior and is considered one of the best substitutes of hydrogenated oils due to its capability to impart the required level of plasticity and body to the finished product. Normally, PS is blended with PO to reduce the melting point at body temperature (37 °C). Lipid phase, formulated by PO and PS in different ratios were subjected to an emulsification process and the following analyses were done: triacylglycerols, solid fat content (SFC), and thermal behavior. In addition, the microstructure properties, including size and number of crystals, were determined for experimental MFs (EMFs) and commercial MFs (CMFs). Results showed that blending and emulsification at PS levels over 40 wt% significantly changed the physicochemical and microstructure properties of EMF as compared to CMF, resulting in a desirable dipalmitoyl-oleoyl-glycerol content of less than 36.1%. SFC at 37 °C, crystal size, crystal number, crystallization, and melting enthalpies (ΔH) were 15%, 5.37 μm, 1425 crystal/μm(2), 17.25 J/g, and 57.69J/g, respectively. All data reported indicate that the formation of granular crystals in MFs was dominated by high-melting triacylglycerol namely dipalmitoyl-oleoyl-glycerol, while the small dose of monoacylglycerol that is used as emulsifier slowed crystallization rate. Practical Application: Most of the past studies were focused on thermal behavior of edible oils and some blends of oils and fats. The crystallization of oils and fats are well documented but there is scarce information concerning some mechanism related to crystallization and emulsification. Therefore, this study will help to gather information on the behavior of emulsifier on crystallization regime; also the dominating TAG responsible for primary granular crystal formations, as well as to determine the best level of stearin to impart the required microstructure properties and body to the finished products.

Physico-chemical properties of various palm-based diacylglycerol oils in comparison with their corresponding palm-based oils.

Palm-based diacylglycerol (P-DAG) oils were produced through enzymatic glycerolysis of palm kernel oil (PKO), palm oil (PO), palm olein (POL), palm mid fraction (PMF) and palm stearin (PS). High purity DAG (83-90%, w/w) was obtained and compared to palm-based oils (P-oil) had significantly (P<0.05) different fatty acid composition (FAC), iodine value (IV) and slip melting point (SMP). Solid fat content (SFC) profiles of P-DAG oils as compared to P-oils had less steep curves with lower SFC at low temperature range (5-10°C) and the higher complete melting temperatures. Also, P-DAG oils in contrast with P-oils showed endothermic as well as exothermic peaks with higher transition temperatures and significantly (P<0.05) higher crystallisation onsets, heats of fusion, and heats of crystallisation. Crystal forms for P-DAG oils were mostly in the β form.

Comparative Analysis of the Physico-Chemical, Thermal, and Oxidative Properties of Winged Bean and Soybean Oils

To explore possible food applications, the oxidative stability, antioxidants contents (tocopherols and tocotrienols), thermal properties, and solid fat content of winged bean oil were investigated along with soybean oil for comparison. Results showed that winged bean oil was significantly (p < 0.05) resistant to oxidation (27 h) compared to soybean oil (9 h) heated at 110oC for 32 h, due presumably to the presence of alpha tocotrienol and the high behemic acid content. The high content of tocopherols, 230 mg/100 g in soybean oil did not contribute much to its oxidation stability. At around 25oC, winged bean oil contained about 15% solid fat content with <1% in soybean oil. Soybean oil, however, had better levels of the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with a ratio of 7.6:1, falling within the range of 5:1 and 10:1 recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization, when compared to winged bean oil having a ratio of 34.4:1. The positional fatty acids esterified as stearoyl, palmitoyl, behemoyl or lignoceroyl triacylglycerides species, PSP, PPP, PLB, POB and SSlg+PBP overwhelmed the unsaturated FAs of winged bean oil for free radical reaction and also conferred it high thermal conductivity. The high oxidative stability, solid fat content, and thermal conductivity of winged bean oil coupled with its crystalization characteristics confirmed it to be good material for frying and for making zero-trans-fat margarines and spreads.