Applications of Palm-based Interesterified Fats

The physical characteristics of oils and fats are determined by their chemical properties, i.e., the chain length and unsaturation of the fatty acids as well as their distribution among the three hydroxyl groups of glycerol. By changing them through hydrogenation, fractionation, blending or interesterification (IE), the physical properties can be changed as well, hence, widening the spectrum for usage and application of the oils/fats. For instance, by applying IE, palm stearin can be incorporated in various types of margarine and at the same time, increase its proportion in the formulations. Without IE, only very small amounts of palm stearin can be incorporated in a table margarine formulation but the percentage can be increased to more than 50% when IE is employed.

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Trans-Fatty Acids – An Update on its Regulatory Status

Trans fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids containing at least one double bond in the trans configuration, formed when edible oils are partially hydrogenated. This process is normally done to increase the melting points of the fatty acids to enable liquid oils to be used in solid fats formulations such as margarines, shortenings, vanaspati and […]