StOSt-rich fats in the manufacture of heat-stable chocolates and their potential impacts on fat bloom behaviors

Preparation and characterization of lauric acid-rich wax oleogel chocolates: Insights into crystallization behavior, storage stability, and bloom resistance

Coconut oil (CO) and palm kernel oil (PKO), both rich in medium-chain fatty acids (lauric acid), have shown potential as substitutes for cocoa butter (CB). However, their tendency to melt at room temperature limits their application. To overcome this limitation, 8 % natural wax (candelilla) was added to different proportions of CO and PKO to form oleogels, creating a three-dimensional network that enhanced their crystallization behavior and structural stability. In this study, the crystallization behavior, storage stability, and fat bloom resistance of these chocolates were systematically evaluated under varying storage conditions. Thermal and structural analyses revealed that wax oleogels modified the polymorphic transitions of the oils, promoting the formation of stable crystals, which reduced oil migration and delayed fat bloom. The presence of wax also promoted the formation of stable β' crystals, encouraging directional crystal growth and improving the integrity of the final chocolate structure. Comparative storage tests demonstrated that chocolates containing wax oleogels exhibited significantly improved storage stability, particularly under fluctuating temperature conditions, compared to chocolates made with CB. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of wax oleogels in modifying the crystallization behavior and mitigating fat bloom in lauric acid-rich chocolates. This study offers a scientific basis for optimizing cocoa butter alternatives in confectionery applications.

Mangosteen Seed Fat: A Typical 1,3-Distearoyl-Sn-2-Linoleoyl-Glycerol-Rich Fat and Its Effects on Delaying Chocolate Fat Bloom

Mangosteen seed fat (MSF), a novel tropical seed fat, predominantly comprises 1,3-distearoyl-2-linoleoyl-glycerol (StLSt) and 1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (StOSt). The fat was blended with cocoa butter (CB) in proportions of 5%, 25% and 60% in the present study, and the binary blends achieved acceptable miscibility. It was indicated that StLSt could be mixed well with the symmetrical monounsaturated triacylglycerols in CB, especially StOSt, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-3-stearoyl-glycerol (POSt) and 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (POP). Although the solid fat contents of the binary blends gradually decreased with the addition of MSF, which resulted from low-melting triacylglycerols in MSF, the well-compatible fat matrix contributed to keeping their desirable melting behaviors and hardness at hot temperatures. A chocolate fat bloom test showed that replacing CB with 25-60% MSF improved fat-bloom-resistant stabilities effectively. The effective steric hindrance of StLSt crystals may improve fat compatibilities and further delay liquid-oil migration and recrystallization in chocolates during temperature fluctuations.

Depiction of 2-oleic acid-1,3-saturated fatty acid triacylglycerols intended for cocoa butter equivalents from Rhodosporidium toruloides

Cocoa butter equivalent (CBE) serves as a viable substitute for cocoa butter (CB) in the confectionary industry. In this study, four types of CBE were produced via fermentation of Rhodosporidium toruloides and systematically characterized. Fatty acid analysis revealed similarities in both total and sn-2 fatty acid composition compared to cocoa butter. Specifically, palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid constituted 87 % to 91 % of the total fatty acid, with palmitic acid predominating at the sn-2 position (80 %). Analysis of triacylglycerol species indicated that the combined proportion of POP, POSt, and StOSt was lower (50 %) than that found in cocoa butter. Solid fat content analysis showed that CBE were soft than cocoa butter. X-ray analysis confirmed that both CBE and CB predominantly exhibited the desired β crystal form. Additionally, spherical-shaped crystals were observed in CBE during polarized light microscopy analysis.

Chocolate microstructure: A comprehensive review

Chocolate is a food with complex microstructure properties. In this study, chocolate surface and internal microstructures are discussed considering final product quality and stability. In addition, the effects of the solids and continuous phase components and the interactions between them, and also process effects on the microstructure were reviewed. Irregularities in the internal microstructure affect the surface and cause problems such as unstable cocoa butter crystals, a whitish, streaky appearance, chewy especially fat bloom in this layer and in general, a low quality and sensory in final product. Optimization of the particle size and cooling conditions of the solids is required to modify the surface topography for roughness and pores morphology. Reducing surface porosity can increase fat bloom resistance. For this purpose, reducing surface hydrophobicity by considering proteins with di-sulfide bonds and their concentrations and the use of different bulk sweeteners should be taken into consideration. The morphology of the surface microstructure may be used for product characterization as well as to investigate the environmental conditions exposed during processing and storage. It should be noted that chocolate has a three-phase microstructural system, considering the air present in the gaps at the interface. The importance of the third phase for continuous phase mobility is critical. Additionally, this phase affects behavior in the oral cavity due to melting and release of volatile components.

Oleogel Systems for Chocolate Production: A Systematic Review

In response to the growing demand for healthier food options, this review explores advances in oleogel systems as an innovative solution to reduce saturated fats in chocolates. Although appreciated for its flavor and texture, chocolate is high in calories, mainly due to cocoa butter (CB), which is rich in saturated fats. Oleogels, three-dimensional structures formed by structuring agents in edible oils, stand out in terms of mimicking saturated fats' physical and sensory properties without compromising the quality of chocolate. This study reviews how oleogels could improve chocolate's stability and sensory quality, exploring the potential of pectin-rich agro-industrial by-products as sustainable alternatives. It also explores the need for physicochemical evaluations of both oleogel and oleogel-based chocolate.

Nonconventional Technologies in Lipid Modifications

Lipid modifications play a crucial role in various fields, including food science, pharmaceuticals, and biofuel production. Traditional methods for lipid modifications involve physical and chemical approaches or enzymatic reactions, which often have limitations in terms of specificity, efficiency, and environmental impact. In recent years, nonconventional technologies have emerged as promising alternatives for lipid modifications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of nonconventional technologies for lipid modifications, including high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, ozonation, and cold plasma technology. The principles,mechanisms, and advantages of these technologies are discussed, along with their applications in lipid modification processes. Additionally, the challenges and future perspectives of nonconventional technologies in lipid modifications are addressed, highlighting the potential and challenges for further advancements in this field. The integration of nonconventional technologies with traditional methods has the potential to revolutionize lipid modifications, enabling the development of novel lipid-based products with enhanced functional properties and improved sustainability profiles.

Internal Factors Affecting the Crystallization of the Lipid System: Triacylglycerol Structure, Composition, and Minor Components

The process of lipid crystallization influences the characteristics of lipid. By changing the chemical composition of the lipid system, the crystallization behavior could be controlled. This review elucidates the internal factors affecting lipid crystallization, including triacylglycerol (TAG) structure, TAG composition, and minor components. The influence of these factors on the TAG crystal polymorphic form, nanostructure, microstructure, and physical properties is discussed. The interplay of these factors collectively influences crystallization across various scales. Variations in fatty acid chain length, double bonds, and branching, along with their arrangement on the glycerol backbone, dictate molecular interactions within and between TAG molecules. High-melting-point TAG dominates crystallization, while liquid oil hinders the process but facilitates polymorphic transitions. Unique molecular interactions arise from specific TAG combinations, yielding molecular compounds with distinctive properties. Nanoscale crystallization is significantly impacted by liquid oil and minor components. The interaction between the TAG and minor components determines the influence of minor components on the crystallization process. In addition, future perspectives on better design and control of lipid crystallization are also presented.

Kinetics Crystallization and Polymorphism of Cocoa Butter throughout the Spontaneous Fermentation Process

The spontaneous fermentation process of Criollo cocoa is studied for its importance in the development of chocolate aroma precursors. This research supports the importance of spontaneous fermentation, which was studied through the crystallization behavior and polymorphisms of cocoa butter (CB), the most abundant component of chocolate that is responsible for its quality physical properties. The k-means technique was used with the CB crystallization kinetics parameters to observe the division of the process during the first stage (day 0–3). The experimental crystallization time was 15.78 min and the second stage (day 4–7) was 17.88 min. The Avrami index (1.2–2.94) showed that the CB crystallizes in the form of a rod/needle/fiber or plate throughout the process. CB produced metastable crystals of polyforms β1′ and β2′. Three days of fermentation are proposed to generate Criollo cocoa beans with acceptable CB crystallization times.

Physicochemical characterization of national and commercial cocoa butter used in Brazil to make chocolate

Abstract Cocoa butter is one of the most important ingredients in chocolate production as it is responsible for important characteristics of chocolates such as hardness, snap, mold shrinkage, fat bloom stability and melting. It appears that factors such as the geographic area and climate where cocoa is grown directly affect the chemical composition of cocoa butter, so fruits grown in Africa and Asia have greater thermal stability. In this sense, two samples of cocoa butter, a Brazilian one from the south of Bahia and a commercial one (consisting of a mixture of butters from different origins) were studied and compared. The results obtained in this study showed that Brazilian cocoa butter had a higher content of Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA) and a higher content of unsaturated triacylglycerols compared to commercial butter. It also showed a faster polymorphic transition and a higher maximum solids content compared to commercial cocoa butter, indicated by isothermal crystallization analysis. Based on the analyzes carried out, it was found that this cocoa butter studied, from the Forasteiro amelonado species and coming from several farms in the south of Bahia, presented greater thermal stability in relation to commercial cocoa butter, i.e., different from that presented in other studies in the literature.