Crystallization behavior of emulsified fats influences shear-induced partial coalescence

Reinforcement the whipping capabilities of aerated emulsions by multi-enzymatic modification of palm olein: Fat crystal-membrane interactions insights

With the development of the new tea drink market and increasing public attention to health, low-saturated fat aerated emulsions are becoming more popular. However, low saturation levels can easily lead to poor whipping capabilities. This study systematically investigated the mechanisms by which multiple enzyme-modified palm olein, used as a low-saturated fat base in aerated emulsions. After enzyme-catalyzed interesterification, fat crystallization properties were significantly enhanced, primarily through the promotion of fat crystal-membrane interaction effects between fat globules, which in turn, improved whipping capabilities. Additionally, it was found that the DAG form of palm olein easily adsorbed casein, resulting in a significant decrease in serum protein concentration, which weakened overrun due to insufficient air encapsulation. However, the whipping time was significantly reduced. Finally, by combining interesterified fats with DAG, the foam properties were greatly improved. This study provides important guidance for the industrial application of interesterified fats and DAG in aerated emulsions.

Relationship between fat crystallization, interfacial properties and qualities of whipped cream: Effect of lactic acid esters of monoglycerides

This study investigated the effects of lactic acid esters of monoglycerides (LACTEM) on the fat crystallization, interfacial properties, and their relationship with the qualities of whipped cream. LACTEM promoted the formation of moderate size fat crystals at low concentrations (≤0.10 wt%). Furthermore, LACTEM could be coexisted with interfacial proteins, which in turn induced two-dimensional crystals, and thereby reducing the interfacial tension and increasing the interfacial elastic modulus. The addition of LACTEM resulted in smaller particle size and higher apparent viscosity in emulsions, and higher firmness and lower serum loss were observed in whipped cream. At high concentrations (>0.10 wt%), the larger and sparser fat crystals were observed. However, LACTEM was still coexisted with, rather than replace the interfacial proteins. LACTEM induced coarser volume phase crystals instead of interfacial crystals, which resulted in increased emulsion particle size and decreased apparent viscosity. The firmness decreased and serum loss increased in whipped cream.

Effects of liquid oils on partial coalescence and whipping capabilities of aerated emulsions: Differences between diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol

Liquid oils are typically used to dilute solid fat in aerated emulsions, yet the structure of lipid components determines their functional properties. This study investigates the mechanism of liquid diacylglycerol (DAG) and triacylglycerol (TAG) on the whipping capabilities of aerated emulsions from the perspective of fat crystal- membrane interactions. Although there were no significant differences in thermodynamic properties, DAG significantly delayed the reduction in lamella thickness of fat crystals compared to TAG, thereby maintaining the density of the fat crystal network at high liquid oil levels. Additionally, the extra hydroxyl group in DAG, compared to TAG, enabled DAG-rich fat globules to occupy the air-liquid interface more rapidly, thereby significantly enhancing the occurrence and development of partial coalescence during whipping. Therefore, the whipping capabilities of aerated emulsions rich in DAG were greatly improved. This study enhances understanding of structural lipids in aerated emulsions and offers new insights into improving whipping capabilities.

Fabrication and characterization of non-diary whipped creams: Influence of oleogel

Non-dairy whipped creams (NDWC) are a typical food emulsion system and are gaining popularity among consumers. Oleogels as reasonable alternatives to trans and saturated fats in foods show great potential application in NDWC. Effects of different proportions of oleogel (30 %-70 %) as base oil on the crystallization behavior, appearance, interface and rheological properties of NDWC were evaluated. The base oil made of oleogel and sunflower oil can crystallize at 0-10 °C, showing needle-liked β-crystal crystal structure. A higher oleogel proportion increased solid fat index, fat crystals and fractal dimension. The fat coalescence rate in NDWC gradually increased from 205.88 % to 465.96 % as oleogel ratio increased from 30 % to 70 %, which was beneficial to the network structure formation of NDWC. The increase of oleogel ratio effectively reduced interfacial tension and increased the elastic modulus as well as promoted partial fat coalescence, thus facilitated the formation and stabilization of the NDWC system.

Whipping Creams: Advances in Molecular Composition and Nutritional Chemistry

Whipping cream (WC) is an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion used in food industry that can be transformed into aerated foam. The cream market has expanded significantly, driven by consumer demands for healthier and higher-quality products, leading to significant scientific research and innovation. This review focuses on formulation challenges related to ingredients such as fats, emulsifiers, and stabilizers, and how these components interact to form a stable emulsion and foam structure. Many studies have aimed to enhance the physicochemical, functional, and nutritional characteristics of WC by fine-tuning formulation parameters. A major focus was to address the health concerns linked to the high saturated fat content in milk fat (MF) by developing healthier alternatives. These include modifying the fat content, developing low-fat formulations, and introducing plant-based substitutes for dairy creams. The participation of additives to improve the properties of whipping cream was also investigated in many recent studies. The use of plant proteins, hydrocolloids, and emulsifiers has been explored, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing emulsifying and foaming properties. This review summarizes recent advancements in whipping cream formulation, emphasizing the role of additives and alternative ingredients in meeting consumer preferences for healthier, more sustainable whipping cream products with enhanced functional, sensory, and nutritional properties.

Low Demineralized Caseins to Replace Sodium Caseinate for Application in Whipped Creams

Caseinate is commonly used in the dairy industry for its stabilizing properties. Its functionalities are largely due to its manufacturing process involving a high level of demineralization that induces casein precipitation. To address this, the researchers are looking for alternatives to respond to consumer demands for high-quality ingredients and increase efficiency. In the present study, we explored low demineralization (0-43%) that preserves the casein integrity to produce caseins that can substitute caseinate in whipping creams (WC). The physicochemical, structural, and functional properties of these caseins were evaluated to assess their viability as surface-active agents in blend-fat whipping cream. The results showed that a demineralization level over 43% significantly impacts the size, secondary structures (β-sheets, β-turns, and α-helices particularly), and surface hydrophobicity that favorably impact the emulsifying properties but diminish the foam stability. WC made with caseins demineralized at 0 and 13% provided stable foam, with the lowest emulsion stability at 0% of demineralization. Using demineralized caseins at 13% offers a sustainable alternative to caseinate in food products requiring stable foams as WCs without significantly altering other desired functionalities such as overrun and emulsion stability. Further research studies into optimizing the demineralization process and exploring applications in other food matrices are suggested.

Fabrication and characterization of non-fat whipped cream analogue: Effects of type and concentration of polysaccharide

In the present study, the non-fat whipped cream analogue was formulated by the combination of soy protein isolate, different polysaccharides and sucrose. Compared with single polysaccharide, the combined polysaccharide showed synergistic effect on formulating the non-fat whipped cream with better properties. The non-fat whipped creams showed high overrun (up to 570 %), excellent drainage stability (no drainage occurred within 120 min) and comparable hardness (up to 1.1 N) than that of control (a commercially dairy whipped cream). Moreover, the non-fat whipped creams were all solid-like (storage modulus > loss modulus) and exhibited outstanding shape retention ability. These properties were greatly affected by the types and ratios of combined polysaccharide. The combination of anionic and neutral polysaccharides was more beneficial for its properties, and the effect depended on the combined ratios. Especially for samples containing gellan gum/guar gum, their appearance only changed slightly after standing for 60 min, and simultaneously showed satisfying sensory acceptability when the combined ratio was 2/3. Therefore, these novel non-fat whipped creams could be popularized as the functional products aiming at specific groups such as diabetes and obesity people in the future.

Application of soy protein isolate-naringenin complexes as fat replacers in low-fat cream: Based on protein conformational changes, aggregation states and interfacial adsorption behavior

In this study, changes in the structural and functional properties of soybean protein isolate (SPI)-naringenin (NG) complexes under different amounts of naringenin treatments were explored, elucidating the effect of the complexes as fat replacers at the 15 % substitution level on the properties of low-fat cream. Finally, the correlation between the structure and function of the complex and the properties of low-fat cream was further analyzed. The addition of NG promotes the increase of SPI aggregation and particle size, and reduces the interfacial tension of the complex. Meanwhile, at the mass ratio of 48:3, NG and SPI formed a dendritic network structure suitable for stabilizing cream. The fat properties of cream indicate that low-fat creams stabilized by appropriate proportions of SPI-NG complexes displayed small and dense fat crystal network structures. In addition, low-fat cream stabilized by the SPI-NG complexes have improved whipping time, overrun, firmness, storage stability and rheological properties compared to natural SPI. It is worth noting that the overall quality of the cream stabilized by the SPI-NG complex with a mass ratio of 48:3 was almost close to that of full-fat cream. Therefore, this study promotes the potential applications of protein-polyphenol complexes as fat replacers in the food industry.

Ultrasound treatment of crystalline oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by sodium caseinate: Impact on emulsion stability through altered crystallization behavior in the oil globules

Partial coalescence is a key factor contributing to the instability of crystalline oil-in-water emulsions in products like dressings and sauces, reducing shelf life. The intrinsic characteristics of semi-crystalline droplets, including solid fat content, fat crystal arrangement, and polymorphism, play a pivotal role in influencing partial coalescence, challenging prevention efforts even with emulsifiers like amphiphilic proteins. High-intensity ultrasound (HIU) has emerged as an efficient and cost-effective technology for manipulating bulk fat crystallization, thereby enhancing physical properties. This study specifically investigates the impact of HIU treatment on fat crystallization on protein-stabilized crystalline emulsions, utilizing palm olein stearin (POSt) as the lipid phase and sodium caseinate (NaCas) as the surfactant under various HIU powers (100, 150, 200, 300, and 400 W). Results show that increasing HIU power maintained the interfacial potential (-20 mV) provided by NaCas in the emulsions without significant differences. Higher HIU power induced the most stable polymorphic form (β) in the emulsions. Engagingly, the emulsions at 200 W exhibited better storage stability and slower partial coalescence kinetics. Semi-crystalline globules had more uniform and integral crystal clusters that were distributed tangentially near the droplet boundary, perhaps attributed to intermediate subcooling (40.4 °C) at 200 W. The acoustic energy of HIU significantly translates into thermal effects, influencing subcooling degrees as a dominant factor affecting crystallisation in the emulsions. This study establishes ultrasonic crystallization as a novel strategy for modifying the stability of emulsions containing fat crystals.

Characterization and stability of solid lipid nanoparticles produced from different fully hydrogenated oils

The use of lipids from conventional oils and fats to produce solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) attracting interest from the food industry, since due their varying compositions directly affects crystallization behavior, stability, and particle sizes (PS) of SLN. Thus, this study aimed evaluate the potential of fully hydrogenated oils (hardfats) with different hydrocarbon chain lengths to produce SLN using different emulsifiers. For that, fully hydrogenated palm kern (FHPkO), palm (FHPO), soybean (FHSO), microalgae (FHMO) and crambe (FHCO) oils were used. Span 60 (S60), soybean lecithin (SL), and whey protein isolate (WPI) were used as emulsifiers. The physicochemical characteristics and crystallization properties of SLN were evaluated during 60 days. Results indicates that the crystallization properties were more influenced by the hardfat used. SLN formulated with FHPkO was more unstable than the others, and hardfats FHPO, FHSO, FHMO, and FHCO exhibited the appropriate characteristics for use to produce SLN. Concerning emulsifiers, S60- based SLN showed high instability, despite the hardfat used. SL-based and WPI-based SLN formulations, showed a great stability, with crystallinity properties suitable for food incorporation.

The impact of glycerol monostearate's similarity to fats and fatty acid composition of fats on fat crystallization, destabilization, and texture properties of ice cream

BACKGROUND

Fat significantly affects the properties of ice cream. Prior studies have investigated the correlation between fat crystallization, fat destabilization, and ice cream quality. However, the role of fatty acid composition, the similarity between fat and emulsifier in these characteristics, and their impact on final product quality remains unclear.

RESULTS

To investigate the influence of the fatty acid composition of fats, as well as their similarity to glycerol monostearate (GMS), on fat crystallization and destabilization during the aging and freezing stages, ice creams were formulated using a combination of two types of fats (coconut oil and palm olein) in five different ratios. In oil phases, decreased saturation of fatty acids (from 93.38% to 46.69%) and increased similarity to GMS (from 11.96% to 46.01%) caused a reduction in the maximum solid fat content. Moreover, the rise in unsaturated long-chain fatty acids (from 34.61% to 99.57%) and similarity to GMS enhanced the formation of rare and coarse fat crystals, leading to a sparse crystalline network. This, in turn, reduced the crystallization rate and the stiffness of the fat in emulsions. Assuming consistent overrun across all ice creams, the enhanced interactions between fat globules in ice cream improved its hardness, melting properties, and shrinkage.

CONCLUSION

The crystalline properties of fat in emulsions were influenced by oil phases, impacting fat destabilization and ultimately enhancing the quality of ice cream. The present study offers valuable insights for the optimization of fat and monoglyceride fatty acid ester selection, with the potential to improve ice cream quality. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Beef tallow/lard blends in O/W emulsions: Characterization of fat crystals, partial coalescence, rheology, and aeration performance

This study aimed to find new strategies for enhancing the stability and texture properties of aerated emulsion by combining different animal fats with different ratios. Beef tallow (BT)/ lard (LA) were mixed at different ratios to prepare oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, with and without aeration. The compatibility, crystallization behavior, stability, and rheology in both O/W and aerated emulsion systems prepared with BT/LA binary blends were further investigated. Larger and inhomogeneous β' and β crystal mixtures appeared as the BT ratio increased. Monotectic or eutectic interaction was displayed according to different BT/LA ratios, solid fat content (SFC) and temperatures. O/W emulsion prepared with BT/LA binary showed higher apparent viscosity with larger fat globules distributed as the BT ratio increased. BT had higher SFC at any given temperature and the fat globule aggregation extent was higher. Partial coalescence occurred as the LA ratio increased when SFC < 35 %. Higher foam firmness of the aerated emulsion was achieved by BT/LA binary with higher BT ratios. As a result, combining BT and LA with different ratios achieved higher emulsion stability and foam properties. This study provides a novel insight into the application of different animal fats and the improvement of high-quality whippable products.

Tracing distribution and interface behavior of water droplets in W/O emulsions with fat crystals

Sucrose palmitate (P170) and sucrose laurate (L195) were used as emulsifiers to control the crystallization behavior of AMF and to stabilize W/O emulsions. In this study, the P170 promoted crystallization and led to strong fat crystal networks with smaller AMF crystals (60-80 μm) in emulsions, retaining flocculation. Water droplets were squeezed into irregular shapes between the strong network but the P170 formed an interface layer with better strength to resist the aggregation. Contrarily, the L195 inhibited crystallization and formed larger AMF spherulites (more than 100 μm) resulting in a low strength of fat crystal networks and unstable emulsions. Meanwhile, the water droplets were easily fixed on the surface of AMF crystals because of the existence of sucrose esters. Protruding crystals on the surface of larger spherulites could pierce the water-oil interface, leading to a greater coalescence and forming larger water droplets. Therefore, a weak crystal network could not prevent the sedimentation and phase separation caused by gravity.

Crystallization of lipids and lipid emulsions treated by power ultrasound: A review

The actual food system with fat is always complex and fat crystal and fat crystal networks have important effects on the physical properties of food. Recently, power ultrasound (PU) had been widely recognized as an auxiliary technology of fat crystallization to modify food properties. This review expounded on the mechanism of ultrasonic crystallization, and summarized effects of various factors in the process of ultrasonic treatment on fat crystallization. Based on the above, combined with the application of ultrasound in emulsions, the ultrasonic fat crystallization effect in the emulsion system was judged and described. Research results indicated that PU could shorten the induction time of crystallization, accelerate the formation of crystal nuclei, and change the polymorphism of fat crystals. The product treated by PU formed smaller and more uniform crystals to produce a more viscoelastic fat crystal network. In emulsion systems, ultrasonic treatments showed the same effect, but the effect of ultrasonic crystallization on the emulsion stability was different due to fat crystals in different emulsion systems. Meanwhile, the importance of ultrasonic crystallization in lipid emulsions was emphasized, thus ultrasonic crystallization had great potential in emulsion systems.

Effects of natural waxes on the interfacial behavior, structural properties and foam stabilization of aerated emulsions

Aerated emulsions have widespread applications in food industry. However, the poor stability of aerated emulsions remains a major challenge due to their inherent thermodynamic instability. Herein, a novel strategy to...

Whipping properties and stability of whipping cream: The impact of fatty acid composition and crystallization properties

In this study, five fats (hydrogenated palm kernel oil, HPKO-A and HPKO-B; refined vegetable oils, RVO-A and RVO-B; transesterification oil, TO) were used to prepare whipping creams. HPKO-A and RVO-A which rich in lauric and myristic acids facilitated the formation of small crystals and dense crystal network, while higher stearic acid content of HPKO-B formed large spherical crystals. The richness in palmitic acid (RVO-B and TO) and oleic acid (TO) led to the formation of weak crystal network. Higher partial coalescence was correlated to higher collision frequency of fat globules and crystal connection, therefore, the overruns, firmness and stability of creams prepared by HPKO-A and RVO-A were higher than those of HPKO-B and RVO-B. The least stability of cream prepared by TO was related to the weak crystal networks. In summary, higher lauric and myristic acids content resulted in dense crystal networks, promoting partial coalescence and improving the cream quality.