Oleogels,a promising structured oil for decreasing saturated fatty acid concentrations: Production and food-based applications

Oils and fats are widely used in the food formulations in order to improve nutritional and some quality characteristics of food products. Solid fats produced from oils by hydrogenization, interesterification, and fractionation processes are widely used in different foodstuffs for these aims. In recent years, consumer awareness of relation between diet and health has increased which can cause worry about solid fat including products in terms of their high saturated fatty acid and trans fatty acid contents. Therefore, different attempts have been carried out to find alternative ways to produce solid fat with low saturated fatty acid content. One of the promising ways is using oleogels, structuring oils with oleogelators. In this review, history, raw materials and production methods of the oleogels and their functions in oleogel quality were mentioned. Moreover, studies related with oleogel usage in different products were summarized and positive and negative aspects of oleogel were also mentioned. Considering the results of the related studies, it can be concluded that oleogels can be used in the formulation of bakery products, breakfast spreads, margarines, chocolates and chocolate-derived products and some of the meat products.     

Essential fatty acids and trans contents of some oils,margarine and other food fats

Levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), cis, cis-methylene interrupted polyunsaturated fatty acids (i.e. essential fatty acids—EFA) and isolated trans double bonds in six crude vegetable oils, seven commercial oils, eighteen margarines, two butter fats and fats from two types each of crisps and butter biscuits have been determined. The ratios between the PUFA or EFA and the saturated fatty acids of various samples have been tabulated. Normal (i.e. high linoleic) safflower seed oil gave the highest ratio. Margarines which were estimated to contain partially hydrogenated fish oils (45–90%, on fat basis) gave high values of trans double bonds. Butter fat having a similar EFA level to that present in a ‘hydrogenated fish oil’ margarine contained a much lower level of trans isomers. Almost all the PUFA in the oils of crips, and about half the PUFA content of butter biscuits, existed as ‘true’ essential fatty acids.     

Recent trends in the fatty acid composition of German sunflower margarines, shortenings and cooking fats with emphasis on individual C16:1, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3 and C20:1 trans isomers

In some countries the content of trans fatty acids (TFA) in margarines has strongly decreased as a result of the continuous discussion on their disadvantages regarding aspects of nutritional physiology. However, still in 1994 almost 1/3 of total fatty acids in part of German sunflower margarines, shortenings and cooking fats comprised these unfavourable TFA. In the present study the main interest was laid on trans-C16:1, trans-C18:1, trans-C20:1, trans-C18:2 and trans-C18:3 fatty acids and particularly their individual isomers, as negative metabolic activity of TFA possibly might only be attributable to certain isomers. By combining argentation thin-layer chromatography with gas chromatography using a 100-m capillary column (CP-Sil 88) trans fatty acid contents were determined in nearly all German brands of sunflower margarines (SFM; n = 9) and of cooking fats and shortenings (CFS; n = 10). Concerning the above-mentioned groups of isomers mean TFA contents of 0.01, 4.88, 0.00, 0.45 and 0.03% for SFM as well as of 0.01, 5.02, 0.03, 0.70 and 0.17% for CFS were established, respectively. The re-evaluation of samples from 1994 and 1996 exhibited that the total TFA content (sum of all mentioned isomers) in SFM decreased from 21.77% (range: 13.78-26.29; n = 11) to 5.37% (1.98-6.15%; n = 9) between 1994 and 1999. Also the total TFA content in CFS on average strongly decreased from 11.77% (0.08-33.63; n = 16) in 1994 and 12.52% (1.61-26.79%; n = 7) in 1996 to 5.91% (0.43-19.72%; n = 10) in 1999. However, even the newest CFS samples partly exhibited relative high TFA contents. In addition to the total TFA contents all positional isomers of trans-C18:1, trans-C18:2 and trans-C18:3 in SFM and CFS were quantified and compared between different years. The conjugated linoleic acid (cis delta 9, trans delta 11) occurred only in small amounts of 0.03% and 0.02% in current SFM and CFS.     

Acute metabolic responses to butter,margarine, and a monoglyceride gel-structured spread

Cardiovascular and metabolic health concerns have led to interest in development of saturated- and trans fat-free margarines, spreads, and other foods. We have recently characterized a novel monoglyceride gel (MAG GEL) that can structure liquid oil into a semi-plastic solid consistency in the absence of saturated and trans fats. Consumption of this MAG GEL resulted in tempered postprandial metabolic responses compared to those resulting from consumption of a compositionally equivalent but unstructured oil suspension, suggesting a structure-dependent metabolic response. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that postprandial blood lipid and metabolite responses to MAG GEL would be tempered compared to the responses after ingestion of butter and tub-margarine of equal total fat content. Indeed, blood triglyceride response was tempered in MAG GEL compared to butter, margarine, and unstructured oil trials, all of which produced similar triglyceride responses. The blood free fatty acid, glucose, and insulin responses were not different in MAG GEL compared to butter or margarine trials; and interestingly, there were no differences between butter and margarine trials for any of the metabolic response variables. The MAG GEL is a useful structure for many applications, and produces salubrious postprandial metabolic effects compared to other spreadable fats.     

Organogelators as a Saturated Fat Replacer for Structuring Edible Oils

Fats are among the most vital macronutrients that are needed to keep your body healthy. While eating moderate amounts is beneficial, excessive intake of fats can cause serious complications such as cancer and other cardiovascular diseases. These problems can be reduced by substituting the saturated and trans fats with mono- and poly-unsaturated fats. Unfortunately, these substitutions do not provide the desired texture and other physical properties in the final product. So to solve this issue, the concept of “organogels” was introduced. Structuring of edible oil is becoming a potential strategy to reduce/eliminate the trans/saturated fats. Researchers are working to introduce fat like properties in these liquid oils by different strategies like imparting some compounds in oil which leads to its gelation. This review provides a detailed study on the organogel’s building blocks, its structuring techniques, organogelator’s effects, problems associated with the development of organogels, and their solutions. Applications of organogels in different fields of life and particularly in the food industry are also discussed. Efforts are required to develop analytical methods for understanding the underlying mechanisms of structuring organogels and to explore more food grade organogelators.     

Trans Fatty Acid Contents in Selected Dietary Fats in the Estonian Market

In response to public concern, this study assessed the fatty acid (FA) composition of blended spreads, margarines and shortenings in the Estonian retail market in 2011. Special attention was paid to the trans fatty acids (TFA) composition. The changes in these characteristics of selected dietary fats in the market over recent years are also presented. Twenty-six edible fat brands, available in the Estonian retail market in 2011, were purchased and FA compositions were analyzed by chromatography. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were the dominant group of FAs for all blended spreads (49.6 to 65.8%), and for the majority of shortenings (from 21.1 to 54.6%). Cis monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were the dominant group of FAs for the majority of margarines, ranging from 25.3% to 50.5%. The total TFA for blended spreads varied from 1.18% to 9.08%, for margarines from 0.04% to 34.96% and for shortenings from 0.14% to 39.50%. Octadecenoic (C18:1) isomers were the main TFA found. Compared to 2008/2009, the industrially produced TFA (IP-TFA) content in several of the dietary fat brands was much reduced in 2011. This voluntary reformulation was probably a response to consumer demand associated with a public health campaign directed against IP-TFA in Estonian foods, and were mainly achieved by replacing TFA with SFA C12:0-C16:0. Practical Application: Present paper is directed toward public health related institutions and food industries producing foods with potentially high contents of trans fatty acids (TFA). According to the public concern TFA content in domestic blended spreads has declined significantly over the past 3 y in Estonia. The reduction in the TFA content was achieved by replacing TFA with saturated fatty acids (SFA) (C12:0-C16:0). To shift food composition toward healthier product formulations, mandatory labeling of the sum of IP-TFA and SFA (C12:0-C16:0) was recommended.     

CHARACTERIZING QUALITY OF RENDERED DUCK FAT COMPARED TO OTHER FATS AND OILS

The characteristics of rendered duck fat (RDF) were compared to commercial sources of soybean oil, lard, tallow, butter and olive oil. RDF was highly susceptible to lipid oxidation during storage compared to the other fats and oils. However, 0.005% tert‐butyl hydroquinone delayed the onset of lipid oxidation to an extent that was comparable to the lag phase observed in the commercial fats and oils. Positive attributes of RDF included a relatively high oleic acid content and low saturated fat content. Undesirable attributes of RDF included a lack of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and intermediate levels of trans fatty acids (TFA) compared to the other lipid sources. Decreasing the time and temperature of rendering decreased the TFA content in RDF. Around one‐half of the TFA content in RDF was vaccenic acid which is converted to CLA after ingestion.     

Chemical interesterification of olive oil-tristearin blends for margarines

Refined olive oil–glycerol tristearate blends were interesterified using sodium methoxide as catalyst. The glyceride structure of the randomized fats was studied and the relationship between the structure and physical properties was examined. The rearranged fats were investigated for Solid Fat Index, melting behaviour, consistency and spreadability and the values obtained were compared to those of zero-trans margarines or commercially available products prepared from hydrogenated olive oil and other vegetable oils. The 80:20 and 75:25 olive oil–tristearin blends after randomization have properties very close to those of soft tub and packet margarines.     

Nutrient profiles in retail cuts of bison meat

The objectives were to determine the nutrient composition and variation in eight cuts of bison meat in bulls and heifers and identify nutrient relationships in the clod and sirloin by principal component analysis. The nutrients analyzed were: energy, protein, total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, transfat, cholesterol, vitamin A, Ca, Fe, Na and moisture. Differences were observed in fat components between cuts and bulls had higher (P < 0.05) amounts of total, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat in the blade compared to the other cuts. The sirloins had less (P < 0.05) cholesterol than all the other cuts in bulls and the clod in heifers. Fat varied more than protein and moisture in all cuts. Four principal components (PC) accounted for 63.9% of the total variation of the nutrient composition. Total, monounsaturated and saturated fats were in PC1 and cholesterol in PC2 showing that cholesterol is independent of other fats. If dietary alterations elicit changes in bison meat fatty acid profiles, it may be possible to reduce cholesterol independent of total, monounsaturated or saturated fat.     

Tropical oils: nutritional and scientific issues.

Individually and in combination with other oils, the tropical oils impart into manufactured foods functional properties that appeal to consumers. The use of and/or labeling in the ingredient lists give the impression that these oils are used extensively in commercially processed foods. The estimated daily intake of tropical oils by adult males is slightly more than one fourth of a tablespoon (3.8 g), 75% of which consists of saturated fatty acids. Dietary fats containing saturated fatty acids at the beta-position tend to raise plasma total and LDL-cholesterol, which, of course, contribute to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Health professionals express concern that consumers who choose foods containing tropical oils unknowingly increase their intake of saturated fatty acids. The saturated fatty acid-rich tropical oils, coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, and palm kernel oil, raise cholesterol levels; studies demonstrating this effect are often confounded by a developing essential fatty acid deficiency. Palm oil, an essential fatty acid-sufficient tropical oil, raises plasma cholesterol only when an excess of cholesterol is presented in the diet. The failure of palm oil to elevate blood cholesterol as predicted by the regression equations developed by Keys et al. and Hegsted et al. might be due to the dominant alpha-position location of its constituent saturated fatty acids. If so, the substitution of interesterified artificial fats for palm oil in food formulations, a recommendation of some health professionals, has the potential of raising cholesterol levels. A second rationale addresses prospective roles minor constituents of palm oil might play in health maintenance. This rationale is founded on the following observations. Dietary palm oil does not raise plasma cholesterol. Single fat studies suggests that oils richer in polyunsaturated fatty acid content tend to decrease thrombus formation. Anomalously, palm oil differs from other of the more saturated fats in tending to decrease thrombus formation. Finally, in studies comparing palm oil with other fats and oils, experimental carcinogenesis is enhanced both by vegetable oils richer in linoleic acid content and by more highly saturated animal fats. The carotenoid constituents of red palm oil are potent dietary anticarcinogens. A second group of antioxidants, the tocotrienols, are present in both palm olein and red palm oil. These vitamin E-active constituents are potent suppressors of cholesterol biosynthesis; emerging data point to their anticarcinogenic and antithrombotic activities. This review does not support claims that foods containing palm oil have no place in a prudent diet.     

The Contribution of Modern Margarine and Fat Spreads to Dietary Fat Intake

The study of dietary fat consumption and its resultant effects on human health has been one of the most investigated topics in the field of human nutrition. Based on the results obtained from such studies, specific dietary recommendations on fat intake (both in terms of quantity and quality) have been established by health organizations around the globe. Among the various food industry sectors, the margarine manufacturers have also responded to these guidelines and now offer improved formulations with a desirable balance of fat contents and fat types. The main aim of this article is to provide an overview on how these modern margarines can contribute towards reaching the dietary guidelines relating to fat intake. In particular, the dietary recommendations with respect to the specific fatty acid types are comprehensively detailed along with an emphasis on the role of modern margarines in providing balanced fat types (more polyunsaturated fats, less saturated fats and a near‐complete absence of trans fats) in the daily diet.     

EFFECT OF CHEMICAL INTERESTERIFICATION ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF CANOLA OIL AND FULLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL BLENDS

Blends of canola oil (CO) and fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil (FHCSO), with 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% FHCSO (w/w) were interesterified under the following conditions: 0.4% sodium methoxide, 500 rpm stirring, 100C, 20 min. The original and interesterified blends were examined for triacylglycerol composition, melting point, solid fat content (SFC) and consistency. Interesterification caused considerable rearrangement of triacylglycerol species, reduction of trisaturated triacylglycerol content and increase in disaturated-monounsaturated and monosaturated-diunsaturated triacylglycerols in all blends, resulting in lowering of respective melting points. The interesterified blends showed reduced SFC at all temperatures and more linear melting profiles if compared with the original blends. Consistency, expressed as yield value, significantly decreased after the reaction. Iso-solid curves indicated eutectic interactions for the original blends, which were eliminated after randomization. The 80:20, 75:25, 70:30 and 65:35 (w/w) CO: FHCSO interesterified blends showed characteristics which are appropriate for their application as soft margarines, spreads, fat for bakery/all-purpose shortenings, and icing shortenings, respectively.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Recently, a number of studies have suggested a direct relationship between trans isomers and increased risk of vascular disease. In response, many health organizations have recommended reducing consumption of foods containing trans fatty acids. In this connection, chemical interesterification has proven the main alternative for obtaining plastic fats that have low trans isomer content or are even trans isomer free. This work proposes to evaluate the chemical interesterification of binary blends of canola oil and fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil and the specific potential application of these interesterified blends in food products.     

Influences of saturation ratio of supplemental dietary fat on digestion and milk yield in dairy cows

Four multiparous, ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows in midlactation were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin square to evaluate the effects of supplemental fat from sources varying in proportions of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids on nutrient digestion and lactation performance. All diets (45% alfalfa hay) contained 12% whole cottonseed (as-fed); treatments were no supplemental fat (control, 3% total fatty acids, dry matter basis) or additional 2% tallow, 2% yellow grease, or 2% blend (60% tallow: 40% yellow grease). The unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratios were 1:1 for tallow and 2.5:1 for yellow grease. Dry matter intake, apparent ruminal and total tract digestibilities of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, N, and fatty acids, and microbial efficiency were similar across treatments. Microbial N flow to the duodenum was increased by yellow grease. Supplemental fat reduced the postruminal digestibility of fatty acids, primarily the saturated fatty acids; increasing saturation of the fat source magnified the reduction. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations and ruminal fluid pH were unaffected by fat supplementation or saturation level. Blend decreased ruminal pH and acetate to propionate ratio. Yields of milk and milk fat increased with fat supplementation. Concentrations and yields of trans vaccenic acid in milk increased linearly with the unsaturated fatty acid content of the fat supplement. Modest supplementation using highly unsaturated fats to diets containing whole cottonseed can increase milk production without disturbing rumen function, evident by the similar VFA concentrations, nutrient digestibilities, and milk composition.     

Examination of Lipid Fraction Quality of Margarine

ABSTRACT: We studied 26 margarines, 13 from hydrogenated fats and 13 from fractionated or interesterified fats, by using (1) traditional routine analyses, (2) silica gel column chromatography to separate the polar compounds, (3) high-performance size-exclusion chromatography for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the single classes of substances constituting the polar compounds, and (4) gas chromatography to determine the fatty acid composition and the trans isomers. The margarines prepared from hydrogenated fats showed significantly higher mean contents of both triglyceride oligopolymers ( P < 0.05) and trans isomers ( P < 0.001). Margarines obtained from fractionated or interesterified fats showed significantly higher mean contents ( P < 0.05) of polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

如何限制油脂反式脂肪酸含量和摄入量

反式脂肪酸对人体有一定的负面作用,如引发冠心病、导致乳腺癌、影响必需脂肪酸的消化吸收等.反式脂肪酸存在于精炼油脂和氢化油脂中,为了减少油脂中反式脂肪酸的含量,应采用合适的设备、并控制油脂精炼过程中的脱臭条件,对于氢化油脂还需要控制氢化条件、选择合适的氢化油原料.通过低温、短时间的脱臭可以使精炼油脂中反式脂肪酸含量降到最低.另外,建议我国有关食品立法部门规定对反式脂肪酸加以标识,以正确引导消费.     

Cocoa butter fats and possibilities of substitution in food products concerning cocoa varieties,alternative sources,extraction methods,composition, and characteristics

The current concern for cocoa butter fat as major ingredients of chocolate intake in the World has raised the question of the high price of cocoa butter among all other vegetable fats. Productions of natural cocoa butter fats are decreasing day by day due to the decrease of cocoa cultivation worldwide; moreover, cocoa fruit contains only a little amount of cocoa butter. Therefore, the food industries are keen to find the alternatives to cocoa butter fat and this issue has been contemplated among food manufacturers. This review offers an update of scientific research conducted in relation to the alternative fats of cocoa butter from natural sources. The findings highlights how these cocoa butter alternatives are being produced either by blending, modifying the natural oils or fats from palm oil, palm kernel oil, mango seed kernel fats, kokum butter fat, sal fat, shea butter, and illipé fat.     

Novel structuring strategies for unsaturated fats – Meeting the zero-trans,zero-saturated fat challenge: A review

Numerous foods acquire their elastic properties (i.e., snap, mouth-feel, and hardness) from the colloidal fat crystal network comprised primarily of trans- and saturated fats. These hardstock fats contribute, along with numerous other factors, to the global epidemics related to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. A dire need for new technologies capable of structuring unsaturated edible oils, reducing the necessity for trans- and saturated fats, are required. At present, organogels are under-utilized in the food industry but numerous potential organogelators exist including: phytosterols and oryzanols, ceramides, monoglycerides and waxes. When examining these compounds as suitable ingredients for the food industry, they should be food grade, cost effective, have no negative health implications and one should be able to modify their physical properties. This review considers alternatives to colloidal fat crystal networks when structuring unsaturated oils as well as methods to modify their physical properties.     

Isomeric distribution and rapid determination of trans-octadecenoic acids in German brands of partially hydrogenated edible fats

The determination of trans fatty acids (TFA), in particular trans-octadecenoic acids, in edible fats is of current interest, since just in the last years a variety of negative physiological effects has been related to TFA. A main source of C18:1 trans fatty acids are partially hydrogenated fats. Besides the total content of trans-octadecenoic acids, their isomeric distribution seems to be even more important, as fats of different origin, e.g. partially hydrogenated fats and ruminant fats, possibly show different physiological properties. In this study, 46 margarines and 16 shortenings and cooking fats, purchased in August of 1994, were analyzed for trans-octadecenoic acid isomers by a two-step method (Ag-TLC/HRGC). The mean relative isomeric distributions (g/100 g TFA) of both groups determined with a 100 m-column were comparable, with Δ9 and Δ10 being the main isomers. By repeated analysis of 15 brands between August of 1994 and January of 1996, the mean total C18:1 TFA content was found to have decreased in these margarines (n = 8) from 9.58% to 4.62% but not in shortenings/cooking fats (n = 7; 11.62% to 11.92%). The relative isomeric distribution was not affected in both groups. To avoid the problem of overlaps between cis-and trans-C18:1 isomers with GC analysis, formulae for the rapid determination of total C18:1 TFA contents in margarines and shortenings/cooking fats from direct GC data were statistically derived. Thus, applying these formulae and considering the mean relative distributions, absolute contents of all individual isomers of trans-octadecenoic acids can rapidly be determined from direct GC.     

The effects of adding fat to diets of lactating dairy cows on total-tract neutral detergent fiber digestibility: A meta-analysis

The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the effects of supplemental fat on fiber digestibility in lactating dairy cattle. Published papers that evaluated the effects of adding fat to the diets of lactating dairy cattle on total-tract neutral detergent fiber digestibility (ttNDFd) and dry matter intake (DMI) were compiled. The final data set included 108 fat-supplemented treatment means, not including low-fat controls, from 38 publications. The fat-supplemented treatment means exhibited a wide range of ttNDFd (49.4% ± 9.3, mean ± standard deviation) and DMI (21.3 kg/d ± 3.5). Observations were summarized as the difference between the treatment means for fat-supplemented diets minus their respective low-fat control means. Additionally, those differences were divided by the difference in diet fatty acid (FA) concentration between the treatment and control diets. Treatment means were categorized by the type of fat supplement. Supplementing 3% FA in the diet as medium-chain fats (containing predominately 12- and 14-carbon saturated FA) or unsaturated vegetable oil decreased ttNDFd by 8.0 and 1.2 percentage units, respectively. Adding 3% calcium salts of long-chain FA or saturated fats increased ttNDFd by 3.2 and 1.3 percentage units, respectively. No other fat supplement type affected ttNDFd. Except for saturated fats and animal-vegetable fats, supplementing dietary fat decreased DMI. When the values for changes in ttNDFd are regressed on changes in DMI there was a positive relationship, though the coefficient of determination is only 0.20. When changes in ttNDFd were regressed on changes in DMI, within individual fat supplement types, there was no relationship within calcium salt supplements. There was a positive relationship between changes in ttNDFd and changes in DMI for saturated fats. Neither relationship suggested that the increased ttNDFd with calcium salts or saturated FA was due to decreased DMI for these fat sources. A subset of the means included measured ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestion. Analysis of this smaller data set did not suggest that ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility is depressed by fat supplementation more than ttNDFd. Adding fats, other than those with medium-chain FA, consistently increased digestible energy density of the diet. However, due to reduced DMI, this increased energy density may not result in increased digestible nutrient intake.