Multiscale assessment of the effect of a stearic-palmitic sucrose ester on the crystallization of anhydrous milk fat
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Anhydrous milk fat (AMF) is a flavorful, but particularly complex fat containing a wide variety of fatty acids (FAs) and triglycerides (TGs), resulting in an extended melting range of -40 °C to 40 °C. The functionality of this fat can be steered by the addition of sucrose esters (SEs). In this study, the crystallization behavior of AMF in the presence of a stearic-palmitic SE was assessed. Samples were cooled at 1 °C/min (slow cooling) or 20 °C/min (fast cooling) to 0 °C, 20 °C or 25 °C and kept isothermal for one hour. At each of these temperatures, AMF was found to crystallize via different polymorphic pathways and chain length structures, as studied by wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering. The addition of the SE (0.5 wt%) accelerated nucleation and allowed crystallization to start at higher temperatures. Polymorphic transitions were accelerated, but not changed. For fast-cooled samples, ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering provided insights into the mesoscale behavior of the crystal nanoplatelets (CNPs). It was observed that CNPs formed at 20 °C were smaller than those at 25 °C. The addition of the SE did not change the size nor the shape of CNPs. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) gave insight into the microstructure of the networks. Addition of the SE resulted in more fine and dense fat crystal networks at 0 °C and 20 °C. At 25 °C, large separate floc structures were encountered, with and without the addition of the SE.
Source: Food Research International
Institution: Ghent University
Language: English
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,190
Awards: G3863990623, G4333372445, Elucidating the structure of soft matter fat systems by multiscale analysis approach, G5647456710, Atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanobiotechnology based platform from reaching dynamics of single molecules to versatile materials and cell mechanics, Structure-function relations of fat crystal networks in suspensions, G7474410737
OpenAlex ID: W4403590274