Enzyme‐assisted aqueous extraction of oil and protein from canola (Brassica napus L.) seeds

The emphasis of this study was to investigate the effect of enzymes on aqueous extraction of canola (Brassica napus L.) seed oil and protein. Four enzymes, Protex 7L, Multifect Pectinase FE, Multifect CX 13L, and Natuzyme, were tested for their effectiveness in releasing oil and protein during aqueous extraction. The enzyme‐extracted oil content of canola seeds (22.2–26.0%) was found to be significantly (p <0.05) higher than that of the control (without enzyme) (16.48%). An appreciable amount of protein (3.5–5.9%) originally present in the seed was extracted into the aqueous and creamy phases during aqueous extraction of oil. The physicochemical properties of oils extracted from canola seed by conventional solvent extraction, and aqueous extraction, with or without enzyme addition were compared. Significant (p <0.05) differences were observed in free fatty acid content, specific extinctions at 232 and 270 nm, peroxide value, color (1‐inch cell) and concentration of tocopherols (α, γ, and δ). However, no significant variation (p <0.05) was observed in iodine value, refractive index (40 °C), density (24 °C), saponification value, unsaponifiable matter and fatty acid composition. A better oil quality was obtained with aqueous extraction (with and without enzyme) than with solvent extraction. While the enzymes enhanced the oil extraction, the oil yield was still significantly (p <0.05) lower than that obtained by solvent (hexane) extraction.     

Oil quality characteristics of irradiated sunflower and maize seed

The characteristics of oils extracted from gamma‐irradiated sunflower (Halianthus annuus) and maize (Zea mays) seeds at absorbed doses of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 kGy were investigated. Gamma irradiation did not affect the lipid, protein, fiber, and ash contents of neither sunflower nor maize seeds significantly (p>0.05). No significant changes were observed for the values of refractive index and density between the control and irradiated sunflower and maize oils. Peroxide value, acid value, para‐anisidine value, and conjugated dienes and trienes contents increased, while iodine values decreased in the irradiated oils as compared to those of control oils (p<0.05). A small decrease in the contents of α‐, γ‐, and δ‐tocopherols of both sunflower and maize oils was noted by radiation treatment up to 6 kGy, however, the decline was more pronounced at higher dosages. The effects of irradiation on the fatty acid composition of sunflower oil showed a significant (p<0.05) change in the amounts of stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids, while the concentration of palmitic acid was unaffected even at 10 kGy. Similar trends in the fatty acid profile were found for both the sunflower and maize oil.     

Characterization of volatile compounds and triacylglycerol profiles of nut oils using SPME‐GC‐MS and MALDI‐TOF‐MS

Several nut oil varieties mainly used as culinary and overall healthy food ingredients were subject of the present study. Headspace solid‐phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry was employed in order to determine the qualitative composition of volatile compounds. Furthermore, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was used in order to assess the profiles and relative composition of the prevalent triacylglycerols (TAG) within the oils. The headspace of the majority of oil samples was dominated by high contents of acetic acid (up to 42%) and hexanal (up to 32%). As nut oils are typically gained by cold‐pressing from previously roasted nuts, characteristic pyrazine derivatives as well as degradation products of long‐chain fatty acids were detected. TAG analysis of these oils revealed a quite homogeneous composition dominated by components of the C₅₂ and C₅₄ group composed mainly of oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2), stearic (18:0) and palmitic (16:0) acid residues representing together between 65 and 95% of the investigated nut oils. The TAG profiles showed characteristic patterns which can be used as ‘fingerprints’ of the genuine oils. Nut oils exhibiting quite similar fatty acid composition (e.g. hazelnut, pistachio and beech oil) could be clearly discriminated based on TAG showing significant differences between the oils.     

Quality differences between pre‐pressed and solvent extracted rapeseed oil

Most seed oils are obtained by pre‐pressing the crushed seeds followed by solvent extraction of oil from the press cake. The prepressed oil will contain no solvent residues, and is moreover expected to contain more nutritionally valuable compounds, which can in turn enhance the oxidative stability of the oil. However, reports on differences between extracted and pressed oils are scarce. Therefore, in this study, for a case study on rapeseed oil, the composition and quality were systematically compared between pre‐pressed and solvent extracted oil. In the extracted oil, solvent residues and a clear sensory difference were detected, which disappeared almost completely during refining. The crude oils had a high content in free fatty acids and in primary and secondary oxidation products, which were higher in the extracted than in the pressed oil. However, surprisingly, also the content of minor compounds was slightly higher in the extracted oil than in the pressed oil. This can be explained by a selective extraction of those compounds into the solvent. During refining, a difference between pressed and extracted oils still existed but was less pronounced. The slight difference in antioxidants content might explain the higher oxidative stability of extracted over pressed oils. Practical applications : Traditionally, high yields of vegetable oils are obtained by pre‐pressing the seeds, followed by solvent extraction of the residual oil from the press cake. The solvent extraction leads to higher oil yields, but is expected to affect the composition and quality of the oil, and has moreover negative environmental impacts. In this study, the solvent extracted oil contained slightly higher levels of tocopherols and phytosterols, and had slightly higher oxidative stability, which are desirable quality aspects. In contrast, the solvent extracted oil contained also higher levels of undesirable phospholipids, as well as solvent residues, which were, however, removed during degumming and deodorization, respectively. These results suggest that the final quality of refined pre‐pressed and solvent extracted oils is comparable from nutritional and safety point of view. A choice for pressing instead of solvent extraction will, therefore, rather be driven by sustainability concerns than by nutritional aspects.     

Comprehensive Two‐Dimensional Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Different Types of Vegetable Oils

Comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC‐TOFMS) was applied for detailed characterization of fatty acid profile of 8 vegetable oils. Due to enhanced selectivity and sensitivity characteristics, the GC×GC method yielded more reliable quantification results compared to one dimensional gas chromatography, especially for medium‐chain fatty acids and odd‐carbon number fatty acids, which are present only at trace level. All problematic positional counterparts of unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. C21:0–C20:3 ω6, C20:3ω3–C20:4 ω6 and C20:5 ω3–C22:0), which commonly coeluted in the case of 1D gas chromatography, were baseline resolved. The specific compounds were found for particular vegetable oils, such as γ‐linolenic acid for hempseed oil, heneicosylic acid and tricosylic acid for olive pomace oil, and nervonic acid for mustard oil.     

Characterisation of acorn oils extracted by hexane and by supercritical carbon dioxide

Acorn fruit oils from two species of oak, Quercus rotundifolia L. (holm‐oak) and Quercus suber L. (cork‐oak), were extracted by n‐hexane. The acorn fruit of Quercus rotundifolia L. was also extracted by supercritical CO₂ at 18 MPa and 313 K, a superficial velocity of 2.5 × 10^?4 ms^?1, and a particle size diameter of 2.7 × 10^?4 m. The oils were characterised in terms of fatty acids, triglycerides, sterols, tocopherols, and phospholipids. The main fatty acid in both fruit species was oleic acid (about 65%), followed by linoleic acid (about 16.5–17%) and palmitic acid (about 12.1–13.4%). The main triglyceride found in acorn oils was the OOO (oleic, oleic, oleic) triglyceride (33–38%), followed by the POO (palmitic, oleic, oleic) triglyceride (12.6–18.2%). In terms of sterols, the main component in acorn oils of both species was β‐sitosterol (83.5–89%), followed by stigmasterol (about 3%). However, in Quercus suber L., acorn oil was found to consist to 10.2% of campesterol. The amount of cholesterol was low (0.27% for the Quercus rotundifolia L. oil extracted by supercritical fluid extraction, and 0.18% for the oil extracted by n‐hexane). The Quercus suber L. acorn oil presented 0.1% of cholesterol. The total amount of tocopherols in Quercus rotundifolia L. acorn oils was almost the same when the oil was extracted by n‐hexane (973 mg/kg oil) or by supercritical CO₂ (1006 mg/kg oil). The Quercus suber L. acorn oil presented a high value of total tocopherols (1486 mg/kg oil). The supercritical CO₂ did not extract the phospholipids. The amount of phospholipids was very similar for both species of oak acorn oils extracted by n‐hexane. Oxidative stability was also studied, by using the peroxide value and the Rancimat method, revealing that all the oils were significantly protected against oxidation. The influence of storage, under several conditions, on the oxidative stability was also studied. The Quercus rotundifolia L. oil extracted by n‐hexane was better protected against oxidation after a few days of storage at 60 °C.     

Chemical characteristics of oils from naked and husk seeds of Cucurbita pepo L.

Pumpkin seed oils from naked and husk pumpkin seeds, produced by an industrial process and by laboratory extraction, were evaluated for fatty acid composition, tocopherol, sterol and squalene content. The major fatty acids in the oils from both varieties were oleic, linoleic and palmitic acid, followed by stearic acid. The ratios of monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids for husk and naked seed oils were about 0.60 and 0.75, respectively. Analysis of tocopherols in industrially pressed and laboratory‐extracted oils showed that husk seed oils had higher amounts of total tocopherols than naked seed oils. Oils extracted in the laboratory had higher amounts of tocopherols than industrial oils. Pumpkin seed oil, in general, had a high level of squalene, which was higher in husk seed oils than in naked seed oils and in extracted than in pressed oils. The total amount of sterols was higher in husk than in naked seed oils and in extracted oil samples. The main sterols were Δ7‐sterols and their content was similar in all samples, but the content of Δ5‐sterols was higher in oil samples of husk pumpkin seed and in extracted than in pressed oils.     

Chemical Characterization of a High‐Oleic Soybean Oil

High‐oleic low‐linolenic acid soybean oil (HOLLSB, Plenish^®) is an emerging new oil with projections of rapid expansion in the USA. HOLLSB has important technological advantages, which are expected to drive a gradual replacement of commodity oils used in food applications such as soybean oil. A key technological advantage of HOLLSB is its relatively high oxidation stability. This oxidation stability is the result of a favorable fatty acid composition, high (76%) oleic acid, low linoleic (6.7%), and alpha‐linolenic (1.6%) acids, and high concentration of tocopherols (936 ppm) after refining, enriched with the gamma‐homolog (586 ppm). A detailed analysis of the fatty acid composition of this HOLLSB by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry allowed the identification and structural determination of 9‐cis‐heptadecenoic acid (or 17:1n‐8). To our knowledge, this is the first time 9‐cis‐heptadecenoic acid has been unequivocally reported in soybean oil. This unusual fatty acid component has the potential to be used as a single authenticity marker for the quantitative assessment of soybean oil. The Rancimat induction period (IP) of Plenish^® (16.1 hours) was higher than those of other commercially available high‐oleic oils, such as canola (13.4 hours), and Vistive^® Gold (10 hours), a different variety of soybean oil. Plenish^® showed the same IP as high‐oleic sunflower oil. Plenish^® shows a modest increase in oxidation stability with the external addition or relatively high concentrations of tocopherols. The characteristic high oxidative stability of Plenish^® may be further enhanced with the use of nontocopherol antioxidants.     

Influence of Extraction Method on Yield,Physicochemical Properties and Tocopherol Content of Manketti (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Schinziophyton rautanenii</Emphasis>) Nut Oil

The influence of extraction method on yield, physicochemical characteristics and tocopherol content of manketti nut oil extracted by four different methods has been determined. Soxhlet (SE) and supercritical fluid (SFE) extractions yielded 45.3 and 44.8%, respectively, while screw press and mechanical shaking extractions had 39.7 and 27.3%, respectively. SPE and SE extractions gave oils that had lower values of unsaponifiable matter (0.70; 0.74%) indicating lower amounts of minor components such as tocopherols (233.13; 290.68 µg/g oil), a greater extent of lipid peroxidation parameters; peroxide values (6.25; 3.01 mequiv O₂/kg), para‐anisidine values (10.22; 9.94), totox value (22.72; 15.96), flavour score (?0.25; 2.11), and high acid values (1.23; 1.03 mg KOH/g oil), respectively, compared to SFE and MSE oils. This was attributed to the high processing temperatures of SPE and SE extractions compared to SFE and MSE oils. Refractive indices (1.485–1.487), iodine values (127.97–129.07, Wijs) and density (0.908–0.914 g/cm³) were not affected by extraction method indicating that the oils generally had the same double bond content. Saponification values (182.98–192.95 mg KOH/g oil) and ester values (181.95–192.11), were not affected by extraction method except for SE oil which had lower values that were speculated to be due to co‐extraction with colour pigments.     

Oxidative Stability and Changes in Chemical Composition of Extra Virgin Olive Oils After Short‐Term Deep‐Frying of French Fries

We aimed at investigating oxidative stability and changes in fatty acid and tocopherol composition of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in comparison with refined seed oils during short‐term deep‐frying of French fries, and changes in the composition of the French fries deep‐fried in EVOO. EVOO samples from Spain, Brazil, and Portugal, and refined seed oils of soybean and sunflower were studied. Oil samples were used for deep‐frying of French fries at 180 °C, for up to 75 min of successive frying. Tocopherol and fatty acid composition were determined in fresh and spent vegetable oils. Tocopherol, fatty acid, and volatile composition (by SPME–GC–MS) were also determined in French fries deep‐fried in EVOO. Oil oxidation was monitored by peroxide, acid, and p‐anisidine values, and by Rancimat after deep‐frying. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was used as a proxy of the quality of the spent oils. EVOOs presented the lowest degree of oleic and linoleic acids losses, low formation of free fatty acids and carbonyl compounds, and were highly stable after deep‐frying. In addition, oleic acid, tocopherols, and flavor compounds were transferred from EVOO into the French fries. In conclusion, EVOOs were more stable than refined seed oils during short‐term deep‐frying of French fries and also contributed to enhance the nutritional value, and possibly improve the flavor, of the fries prepared in EVOO.     

Effect of Enzyme Pre-treatments on Bioactive Compounds in Extracted Tiger Nut Oil and Sugars in Residual Meals

Tiger nut oil is a novel oil that requires more research data on its characteristics. In this study, the oil was extracted using both enzyme‐aided pressing (EAP) and aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) methods. Using enzymes as a pre‐treatment prior to mechanical pressing increased the concentration of some phenolic acids and tocopherols present in extracted oils compared to controls. High pressure processing as a pre‐treatment before aqueous enzymatic extraction also enhanced tocopherols and total polyphenolic content in oils. The percentage free fatty acid and peroxide values indicated that under the initial extraction parameters, the oils were stable and they all met the standards for virgin olive oil set by the International Olive Oil Council. Residual meals from both extraction processes contained low protein contents ranging from 2.4 to 4.6 %. Additionally, EAP and AEE meals contained low DP (degree of polymerisation) sugars that appeared as 1‐kestose (DP3) and nystose (DP4). EAP had the highest total DP3 and DP4 sugar content of 82.5 mg/g. These sugars would need further assessment to verify their identity and determine their suitability as a potential food.     

Sensory and Physico‐Chemical Properties of Cold Press‐Produced Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Seed Oils

In this study, roasted and unroasted (control) tomato seeds were cold pressed and the seeds, oils, and seed presscakes (meals) were analyzed. Some physicochemical properties, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, thermal properties, mineral contents, fatty acids, sterols and tocopherols compositions, volatile compounds and sensory evaluation of the tomato seed oils were determined. The tomato seeds contained 3.3 % of ash, 17.3 % of oil and 27.2 % of protein. The cold press oil recovery rate was 7.2 and 10.28 % for control and roasted seeds, respectively. There were eight sensory terms defining the oils together with 34 different aromatic compounds quantified. The volatile compounds furfural, hexanal, benzaldehyde and 2‐isobutylthiazole were found with the highest frequency in the samples. Roasted, green and tomato were defined as characteristic sensory terms for tomato seeds oils. Fifteen different minerals, melting and crystallization temperatures and enthalpies of the oil samples were also quantified. This study provides important data for the tomato seed oils, and proves that pre‐roasted tomato seed oils are high quality, nutritious and aromatics oils with higher levels of consumer acceptability.     

Characterisation of Moringa stenopetala seed oil variety “Marigat” from island Kokwa

The oil from Moringa stenopetala seeds variety Marigat from the island Kokwa was extracted using 3 different procedures including cold press (CP), extraction with n‐hexane and extraction with a mixture of chloroform:methanol (1:1) (CM). The yield of oil was 35.7% (CP) to 44.9% (CM). The density, refractive index, colour, smoke point, viscosity, acidity, saponification value, iodine value, fatty acid methyl esters, sterols, tocopherols (by high‐performance liquid chromatography), peroxide value, Eequation/tex2gif-stack-1.gif at 232 nm and the susceptibility to oxidation measured by the Rancimat method were determined. The oil was found to contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic (up to 76.40%). The dominant saturated acids were behenic (up to 6.01%) and palmitic (up to 6.21%). The oil was also found to contain high levels of β‐sitosterol (up to 52.19%%of total sterols), stigmasterol (up to 16.53% of total sterols) and campesterol (up to 14.26% of total sterols). α‐, β‐ and δ‐tocopherols were detected up to levels of 98.00, 44.50 and 82.41 mg/kg of oil, respectively. The reduction of the induction period (at 120 °C) of M. stenopetala seed oil ranged from 29.4% to 54.7% after degumming. The M. stenopetala seed oil showed high stability to oxidative rancidity. The results of all the above determinations were compared with those of a commercial virgin olive oil and Moringa oleifera seed oil.     

Investigation of hotpot oil based on beef tallow and flavored rapeseed oil in commercial hotpot seasoning

This study aimed to investigate the quality of hotpot oil from various hotpot seasonings. For this, 12 representative hotpot seasonings with beef tallow (BT) and flavored rapeseed oil (FRO) were collected before the hotpot oil was extracted. The oil content, sensory evaluation scores, physiochemical properties, fatty acid composition, harmful substances, and nutrient content of the hotpot oil were subsequently analyzed. The results showed that the oil content of the hotpot seasoning was 38.3%–58.2%. Furthermore, the BT hotpot oils produced better sensory scores (7–8.5), and their oxidative stability (12.08–13.17 h) was higher on average than that of the FRO hotpot oils. Additionally, the FRO hotpot oils had higher contents of unsaturated fatty acid (81.70%–97.32%), phytosterol (3466.07–6110.37 ppm), tocopherol (182.91–1276.17 mg kg⁻¹), and polyphenol (34.48–61.94 mg kg⁻¹). The factor analyses revealed that the FRO and BT hotpot oils were significantly different and were affected by the iodine value, acid value, and linoleic acid and phytosterol contents. Practical applications: It is necessary to improve the nutritional value and taste of hotpot oils to facilitate rapid development in the hotpot seasoning industry. This study showed FRO was a positive mediator of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects owing to its richness of nutritional compounds, such as polyphenols, phytosterols, and tocopherols. In comparison, BT was found to have a lower nutritional value than FRO but added a unique taste and aroma to the hotpot. The use of blended oil as raw oil could also improve the quality of hotpot oil. This information will provide an important guide to the nutritional value and industrial production of hotpot oil. Blended oil is a promising raw oil for future use in hotpot seasoning processing to meet consumer demands for nutritious and pleasantly flavored hotpot oil.     

Formation of 4‐Hydroxy‐2‐Trans‐Nonenal,a Toxic Aldehyde,in Thermally Treated Olive and Sunflower Oils

4‐Hydroxy‐2‐trans‐nonenal (HNE) is a toxic aldehyde produced mostly in oils containing polyunsaturated fatty acid due to heat‐induced lipid peroxidation. The present study examined the effects of the heating time, the degree of unsaturation, and the antioxidant potential on the formation of HNE in two light olive oils (LOO) and two sunflower oils (one high oleic and one regular) at frying temperature. HNE concentrations in these oil samples heated for 0, 1, 3, and 5 hours at 185 °C were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The fatty‐acid distribution and the antioxidant capacity of these four oils were also analyzed. The results showed that all oils had very low HNE concentrations (<0.5 μg g^?1 oil) before heating. After 5 hours of heating at 185 °C, HNE concentrations were increased to 17.98, 25.00, 12.51, and 40.00 μg g^?1 in the two LOO, high‐oleic sunflower oil (HOSO), and regular sunflower oil (RSO), respectively. Extending the heating time increased HNE formation in all oils tested. It is related to their fatty‐acid distributions and antioxidant capacities. RSO, which contained high levels of linoleic acid (59.60%), a precursor for HNE, was more susceptible to degradation and HNE formation than HOSO and LOO, which contained only 6–8% linoleic acid.     

Investigating Chemical Properties and Oxidative Stability of Kernel Oil from Pistacia khinjuk Growing Wild in Iran

In this study in order to introduce a new vegetable oil, oxidative stability and chemical characteristics of Pistacia khinjuk kernel oil (PKKO) as compared with P. atlantica kernel oil (PAKO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) were investigated. Oxidative stability of studied oils was considered based on the conjugated diene value (CDV), carbonyl value (CV) and oil/oxidative stability index (OSI) through an 8‐h thermal process at 170 °C. Also, chemical characteristics [fatty acid composition, unsaponifiable matter (USM), total tocopherols (TT), total phenolics (TP) and total sterols (TS), iodine value, saponification number and waxes] of these oils were analyzed. The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids and the oxidizability (Cox) value of PKKO (1.14 and 2.78; respectively) were between those of PAKO (2.37 and 4.23; respectively) and EVOO (1.14 and 2.78; respectively). USM content of the three studied oils was between 1.1 and 1.51 %. TT and TP contents of PKKO (619.4 and 26.6 ppm) were lower than those of PAKO (845.33 and 75.22 ppm) and higher than those of EVOO (365.23 and 19.78 ppm). TS contents of PKKO, PAKO and EVOO were 2,500, 2,150 and 3,800 ppm, respectively. Oxidative stability data indicated that PKKO is the most resilient oil against lipid oxidation, followed by PAKO and EVOO. CDV significantly increased by the lowest speed for PKKO, followed by PAKO and EVOO. Increase of CV and reduction of OSI for PKKO, PAKO and EVOO were 29.2, 128 and 338.7 and 32.8, 67.9 and 79.3 %; respectively.     

Utilization of high‐oleic rapeseed oil for deep‐fat frying of French fries compared to other commonly used edible oils

Changes in chemical, physical and sensory parameters of high‐oleic rapeseed oil (HORO) (NATREON?) during 72 h of deep‐fat frying of potatoes were compared with those of commonly used frying oils, palm olein (PO), high‐oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) and partially hydrogenated rapeseed oil (PHRO). In addition to the sensory evaluation of the oils and the potatoes, the content of polar compounds, oligomer triacylglycerols and free fatty acids, the oxidative stability by Rancimat, the smoke point and the anisidine value were determined. French fries obtained with HORO, PO and HOSO were still suitable for human consumption after 66 h of deep‐fat frying, while French fries fried in PHRO were inedible after 30 h. During the frying period, none of the oils exceeded the limit for the amount of polar compounds, oligomer triacylglycerols and free fatty acids recommended by the German Society of Fat Science (DGF) as criteria for rejection of used frying oils. After 72 h, the smoke point of all oils was below 150 °C, and the amount of tocopherols was reduced to 5 mg/100 g for PHRO and 15 mg/100 g for HORO and HOSO. Remarkable was the decrease of the oxidative stability of HOSO measured by Rancimat. During frying, the oxidative stability of this oil was reduced from 32 h for the fresh oil to below 1 h after 72 h of frying. Only HORO showed still an oxidative stability of more than 2 h. From the results, it can be concluded that the use of HORO for deep‐fat frying is comparable to other commonly used oils.     

Supplementation of tocotrienol‐rich fraction increases interferon‐gamma production in ovalbumin‐immunized mice

Palm oil is a rich source of vitamin E. The tocotrienol‐rich fraction (TRF) extracted from palm oil contain 70% tocotrienols and 30% tocopherols. The effect of TRF supplementation on the immune modulation was evaluated in 6‐wk‐old female BALB/c mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) adjuvanted with alum. Mice in control and experimental groups were immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) on days 14 and 28 with a single dose of 50 µg OVA. The mice in the experimental group were orally gavaged daily with 1 mg of TRF from palm oil while those in the control group received carrier oil. The results show that mice in the experimental group produced significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) compared to the control group. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the levels of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) produced between the control and experimental animals. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogen or OVA stimulation was significantly (p<0.05) higher in splenocytes derived from the TRF supplemented mice compared to control mice. These findings show that daily supplementation of palm TRF can induce a strong cell‐mediated immune response, i.e., T‐helper‐1 (Th1) response, which would be beneficial to fight viral infections and cancer.     

Effect of Different Frying Methods on the Total <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> Fatty Acid Content and Oxidative Stability of Oils

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of different frying oils and frying methods on the formation of trans fatty acids and the oxidative stability of oils. Sunflower, canola and commercial frying oils, the most commonly used oils for frying potatoes in the fast food industry, were used as the frying medium. The value for total polar compounds was highest when commercial frying oil was used in the microwave oven (22.5 ± 1.1). The peroxide value, as an indicator of oil oxidation, was lowest for microwave oven frying (2.53 ± 0.03). The K₂₃₂ and K₂₇₀ values were 0.41 ± 0.04 and 0.18 ± 0.02, respectively, for commercial frying oil in the microwave oven. The lowest free fatty acid content was recorded for the commercial frying oil used in the deep‐fat fryer at 190 °C. The highest iodine value was measured for sunflower oil used in the deep‐fat fryer (148.14 ± 0.07), indicating a greater degree of unsaturation. The lowest trans fatty acid value was recorded for sunflower oil in the microwave oven (0.17 ± 0.05), with a higher overall amount of total trans fatty acids observed for oils after frying in the electrical deep‐fat fryer compared to the microwave. Sunflower oil was favourable for both frying methods in terms of the trans fatty acid content.     

Formation and distribution of oxidized fatty acids during deep‐ and pan‐frying of potatoes

The formation of cis‐9,10‐epoxystearate, trans‐9,10‐epoxystearate, cis‐9,10‐epoxyoleate, cis‐12,13‐epoxyoleate, trans‐9,10‐epoxyoleate, trans‐12,13‐epoxyoleate and the co‐eluting 9‐ and 10‐ketostearates during eight successive pan‐ and deep‐frying sessions of pre‐fried potatoes in five different types of vegetable oils – namely cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, vegetable shortening, palm oil and virgin olive oil – was followed and quantified both in fried oils and in fried potatoes by GC/MS after derivatization to methyl esters. These oxidized fatty acids were present at relatively low concentrations in the fresh oils and pre‐fried potatoes while they increased linearly with frying time, reaching up to 1140.8 µg/g in virgin olive oil (VOO) and 186.9 µg/g in potatoes pan‐fried in VOO after eight pan‐frying sessions, with trans‐9,10‐epoxystearate predominating in all cases. The formation of polymerized triacylglycerols (PTG) was also quantified in frying oils by size exclusion HPLC. Pan‐frying caused higher oxidized fatty acid and PTG formation compared to deep‐frying. Epoxyoleates and PTG concentrations were increased after frying in polyunsaturated oils, while epoxystearate and 9‐ and 10‐ketostearate concentrations were increased after frying in monounsaturated oils. No specific absorption of the oxidized fatty acids by the fried potatoes seems to occur. The dietary intake of oxidized fatty acids and PTG by the consumption of fried potatoes was discussed.