Polymorphism of hydrogenated canola oil

The polymorphism of hydrogenated Canola oil was investigated using X-ray diffraction. The effects of hydrogenation conditions (selective: 200 C; 48 kPa hydrogen pressure, and nonselective: 160 C; 303 kPa) and degree of unsaturation on the transformation β′ → β are discussed. A densitometer was used to follow the changes in the relative density of the characteristic short spacings, in an attempt to present a semiquantitative measure of β′ « β transformation during storage. The samples studied were selectively and nonselectively hydrogenated Canola oils of iodine values (IV) 70 and 60, respectively. Among the 4 samples, the selectively hydrogenated sample with IV 70 was the most stable and the nonselectively hydrogenated sample with IV 60 the least stable.