Physicochemical Properties of Palm Oil-Based Puff Pastry Model Margarines Related to Their Baking Performance in Long-Term Storage

Developing trans-free alternative fat solutions suitable for specific applications remains a challenge in edible fats and other domains. This is particularly true for palm oil-based puff pastry margarines, which suffer from post crystallization problems, leading to dramatic loss of functionality. This research is aimed at investigating the influence of triacylglycerol (TAG) compositions of palm oil-based puff pastry margarines on the physical properties of the fat crystal network, which determine the functionality of such products. Three model puff pastry margarines are produced at pilot scale under the same crystallization conditions. They share the same fatty acid composition and close solid fat content (SFC) profiles, whereas the proportions of major TAG (tripalmitoylglycerol (PPP), 1,3-di-palmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (POP), 1,2-di-palmitoyl-3-oleoylglycerol (PPO), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoylglycerol (POO)) are different. Polymorphism, melting profile, hardness, microscopic structures, and baking performance (puffing effect) of the model fats are examined during a period of 6 months. The following results are obtained: 1) The TAG composition significantly influences the post crystallization processes occurring in palm oil-based margarines. 2) High amounts of POP show negative influences. 3) The proportions of POP, PPO, and PPP should be carefully balanced to prevent detrimental crystal network rearrangements, leading to textural modifications (hardness increase) and significant reduction in baking performance. Practical Applications : The results presented in this work could be helpful for edible fat products developers, especially for roll-in fat applications. This research provides an overview of the relevant properties to study for the assessment of puff pastry margarine functionality. It also highlights the importance of ensuring long-term stability of palm oil-based fat products. Finally, it emphasizes that certain combinations of fat materials should be avoided to maintain the quality of palm oil-based puff pastry margarines.     

Correlations Between Cloud Point and Compositional Properties of Palm Oil and Liquid Fractions from Dry Fractionation

Dry fractionation of palm oil can be conducted as a multi-step process; this gives rise to new softer and harder fractions having multitudes of applications in fat foods. This work focuses on the liquid fractions obtained following a triple-step fractionation; the cloud point was measured on a set of 125 palm oil, olein, super olein and top olein samples, with the intention to correlate this value to the compositional properties. The Mettler cloud point, the diacylglycerol content, some selected single or groups of triacylglycerols and the iodine value (in total, 11 variables per sample) were measured and entered in a statistical model. A principal component analysis (PCA) was first carried out from which different sub-groups were highlighted. In each sub-group, various regressions (simple linear, simple non-linear and multiple linear) were applied and 28 significant equations were derived. Out of these, one multiple linear regression involving the iodine value, the UUU and PPP contents showed the best correlation with the Mettler cloud point. This equation was selected to predict the cloud point since it was further successfully validated by using a set of 25 other independent samples. A partial least square (PLS) regression was tested and also considered adequate to predict the cloud point.     

Influence of Enzymatic Remediation on Compositional and Thermal Properties of Palm Oil and Palm Oleins from Dry Fractionation

Characteristics of crude palm oil are high FFA and DAG contents. High DAG content may affect throughput and yield during fractionation: high‐grade specialty fats such as hard palm mid fraction require premium crude palm oil to secure adequate crystallization properties. Moreover, DAGs are generally considered the main precursors for the formation of glycidyl esters during high‐temperature deodorization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of enzymatic remediation on the reduction of FFA and DAG in crude palm oil. In practice, series of process parameters (vacuum and reaction time) were investigated, and the quality of enzymatically remediated crude palm oils was examined in terms of FFA and DAG reduction, TAG composition, and SFC and DSC melting profiles. Fully refined enzymatically remediated palm oils were then dry fractionated. The quality of the oleins derived from the enzymatically remediated palm oil was compared to that of regular RBD palm oleins.     

Flaxseed proteins: food uses and health benefits

Flaxseed proteins are potent multi‐functional ingredients for food formulation owing to their techno‐functionalities, food preservation capacity, and health benefits. A possible synergistic effect with mucilage on their functionalities could be valuable even though this co‐product in flaxseed may limit the protein yield during their production processes. Their techno‐functional properties could also be considered in mixture with other flax bioactive components such as lignans and fibre to enhance the value of the flaxseed meal. The present paper reviews flaxseed protein uses in food and their health benefits. New perspectives according to consumers’ demand for products with health promoting bioactive components are also suggested.     

Effect of ageing on different egg yolk fractions on surface properties at the air–water interface

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of egg ageing on the surface properties of whole and fractionated yolk at the air–water interface. Eggs were stored at 4°C for 24 h, 1 week and 3 weeks after laying. A laboratory scale fractionation process was then applied at each ageing time. Egg yolk was separated into two fractions, plasma composed of low‐density lipoproteins (LDLs) and livetins, and granules formed by high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs), phosvitins and LDLg (g = granule). Moreover, recombined plasma and granules fractions were investigated to highlight a potential synergic effect on surface properties. Results have shown the main contribution of LDLs on surface properties of yolk and an improvement of granules surface properties when they are disrupted. Moreover, ageing affected surface properties differently depending on the considered fractions. Broken LDLs and disrupted granules could explain this observed behaviour. Recombined fractions showed different compression isotherms at the air–water interface than whole yolk.