Tolibjon S. Omonov

Quantification of oil binding capacity of structuring fats: A novel method and its application.

A robust, well-defined and reproducible method to accurately measure the oil binding capacity (OBC) of structuring fats was developed. The method was validated using two oil/fat model systems, i.e., fully hydrogenated canola oil (FHCO) in canola oil (CO) (FHCO/CO) and fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSO) in CO (FHSO/CO). The mixtures were crystallized from the melt down to three different temperatures (15, 25 and 35 degrees C) at constant rates of cooling and the OBC was measured after different periods of storage time. The critical concentration of hard fat at which the solid fat network is stable and effectively binds oil has been also measured for mixtures crystallized at temperatures close to room temperature, i.e., 25 degrees C. Crystal structure, melting behavior, microstructure, and solid fat content of these binary systems have been investigated in relation to the OBC of the solid fat network using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and wide-line pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (pNMR) techniques. The two model systems exhibited similar trends in OBC over time, a behavior attributed to their similar TAG composition and polymorphism. However, relatively smaller OBC values were achieved by the CO/FHSO compared to CO/FHCO samples, largely due to differences in their solid network structure. Four successive decreasing linear segments, identifying successive mechanisms of oil migration/binding, were observed in the experimental OBC versus fat weight fraction curves. The critical concentration of hard fat, at which the solid fat network is effective in binding oil, was also determined and found to be approximately 6wt% for both systems.

The production of biobased nonanal by ozonolysis of fatty acids

Ozonolysis has been proposed as a clean and efficient reaction for use in the production of biobased aldehydes from unsaturated plant oils that can directly replace similar petrochemical compounds. However, further oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids can occur which reduces the yield and complicates aldehyde purification. In this work, the ozonolysis of free fatty acids in an aqueous medium was systematically studied with the objective of producing high yields of nonanal. A reductive/catalytic hydrogenation process was also used in order to reduce the ozonides and so increase the yield of aldehydes. The use of water as a co-solvent during the ozonolysis/hydrogenation processes was found to significantly reduce the formation of carboxylic acids compared to the use of organic solvents, described previously for the ozonolysis of oils and its derivatives. This can be attributed to the effective dilution and decomposition of peroxides formed in water, compared to the situation for organic solvents. A correlation between the ozonolysis time, ozone concentration and the aldehyde yields were observed. In particular, high ozone concentrations resulted in much faster production of aldehydes, so that under optimized conditions, nonanal production was achieved without excessive production of nonanoic acid. Various biobased aldehydes, which are used as key aroma ingredients and intermediates in flavor and fragrance formulations, can be prepared in a similar way by selection of other fatty acid feedstocks.

The epoxidation of canola oil and its derivatives

This work explores the epoxidation and subsequent acid catalyzed epoxy ring opening kinetics of canola oil (CanO), canola oil fatty acid methyl esters (CanFAME) and canola oil free fatty acids (CanFFA). Epoxidation reactions were carried out at atmospheric pressure, without any organic solvents and additional catalysts. The formation of epoxide groups and the subsequent acid catalyzed epoxy ring opening reactions and oligomerization were studied over the epoxidation time. An empirical equation describing the in situ epoxidation kinetics including the epoxy ring opening processes is proposed that is applicable to the epoxidation of plant oils and those containing fatty acid derivatives. By comparing the epoxidation kinetics of CanO, CanFAME and CanFFA, it was found that the rates of epoxidation of CanO and CanFAME were similar although the formation of hydroxylated moieties is observed in CanFAME. The epoxidation behaviour of CanFFA was unique since acid groups act as an oxygen carrier (forming peroxy fatty acids with hydrogen peroxide) which leads to extensive epoxide ring opening and formation of oligomeric products. The results of this study have significance in the production of epoxides from plant oils and animal fats, containing FFA and other derivatives.

Brassica spp. Oils

Abstract The Brassica genus of plants belongs to the Brassicaceae family (formerly Crucifer family). This family is characterized by plants which produce very-long-chain fatty acids in their seed oil, and secondary defense-related metabolites called glucosinolates in the whole plant. Brassica species can germinate and grow at low temperatures and are one of the few oilseeds adapted to cooler temperate agricultural zones and winter production. The emerging emphasis on renewable energy, chemical feed stocks, industrial oils and novel uses of vegetable oils, and the steadily growing bioeconomy will provide significant growth opportunities for industrial (nonedible) Brassica oils. Canola (including canola with a modified fatty acid profiles), high erucic acid (22:1cisΔ13) rapeseed (HEAR) and eventually super-high erucic acid rapeseed (SHEAR) cultivars will be developed and grown to meet emerging and expanding markets. Double-digit annual growth in demand for industrial (nonedible) Brassica oil is anticipated.

Plant Oil-Based Epoxy Intermediates for Polymers

Epoxy resins are an important class of materials, which are used widely in electrical, automobile, and other applications because of their excellent chemical resistance, outstanding adhesion, high tensile and compressive strengths, electrical insulation properties, and superior fatigue strength.