Baru seeds are commonly found in the Brazilian savanna and present potential to be used by the food industry due to their high content of fat. In this sense, this study aimed to determine the physicochemical properties, and chemical composition of baru seed oil. The thermal and oxidative stability, as well as the interfacial properties of the oil were also evaluated. The free fatty acid, peroxide, moisture, density, viscosity and the refractive index of the oil extracted from baru seeds were 0.08% oleic acid, 6.69 meq O2 kg–1 of oil, 0.03%, 0.92 g cm–3, 32.9 mPa s and 1.47, respectively. Since linoleic acid (L), oleic acid (O), palmitic acid (P) and linolenic acid (Ln) are the main fatty acids present in the oil, the most common predominant triacylglycerols in the oil are POO, POL, OOO, OOL, OLL and LLL. The oil extracted from baru seeds presented good thermal and oxidative stability. Moreover, the oil contains high contents of total phenolics and carotenoids. The reduction of oil-water dynamic interfacial tension was promoted by the presence of small molecules. Therefore, the oil extracted from baru seeds presents promising properties for processing in the food industry.

Chemical interesterification is an important alternative to produce zero trans fats. In practice, however, excessive reaction times are used to ensure complete randomization. This work evaluated the influence of the reaction time on the interesterification of soybean oil/fully hydrogenated soybean oil blend, carried out in the following conditions: 100 ºC, 500 rpm stirring speed, 0.4% (w/w) sodium methoxide catalyst. The triacylglycerol composition, solid fat content and melting point analysis showed that the reaction was very fast, reaching the equilibrium within 5 min. This result suggests the interesterification can be performed in substantially lower times, with reduction in process costs.

A palmeira Butia capitata var capitata produz o coquinho-azedo, fruto de odor agradável e penetrante, cuja polpa é aproveitada para a produção de um suco saboroso na região norte de Minas Gerais. As sementes apresentam uma amêndoa cuja exploração ainda é bastante limitada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a composição da amêndoa do coquinho-azedo, visando a avaliar suas possibilidades de uso. Na amêndoa, a composição química (umidade, proteínas, lipídios, cinzas e fibras) foi determinada por métodos gravimétricos. Os teores dos principais minerais foram avaliados por espectrofotometria de emissão atômica com fonte de plasma indutivo, e a composição dos ácidos graxos presentes na gordura da semente foi determinada por cromatografia a gás. A amêndoa do coquinho-azedo apresentou 9,9 % de umidade e 57,8 % de lipídios totais, 25,8 % de fibra detergente neutro, 17,6 % de fibra detergente ácido e 1,6 % de cinzas em base seca. A gordura extraída da amêndoa de coquinho-azedo apresentou elevados teores de ácido láurico (42,1 %), que foi seguido pelo ácido oléico (16,9 %). Predominaram os ácidos graxos saturados (78,9 %), principalmente os de cadeia média (C6-C12).

The Butia capitata palm tree produce a very aromatic fruit named "coquinho-azedo", which freeze pulp is frequently used to produce agreeable juice in north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. "Coquinho-azedo" kernel contains a nut that is not frequently explored. The purpose of the present study was the chemical characterization of "coquinho-azedo" nut to evaluate the possibilities of its use. The moisture, lipids, ash and fiber contents were determined by gravimetric methods. The mineral profile was characterized by inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer and the fatty acids profile was characterized by gas chromatography. The coquinho-azedo nut presented 9,9 % of moisture, 57,8 % of total lipid, 25,8 % of neutral detergent fiber, 17,6 % of acid detergent fiber and 1,6 % of ash. The fat from coquinho-azedo nut presented high content of lauric acid (42,1 %), followed by oleic acid (16,9 %). The saturated fatty acids predominated (78,9 %), mainly the medium chain length fatty acids (58,3 %).

The purpose of this study is to analyze the interactions that occur in binary and ternary fat blends between medium and long chain triacylglycerols and their structured lipids obtained by chemical interesterification through the analysis of their physico-chemical properties. The synthesized structured triacylglycerols presented from 14.8 to 58.4% medium chain fatty acids, from 15.7 to 37.2% saturated fatty acids, from 19.2 to 47.5% monounsaturated fatty acids, and from 6.7 to 15.2% essential fatty acids. Chemical interesterification modified the behavior of binary and ternary mixtures and new types of triacylglycerol groups were formed.

The aim of the present work is to investigate the effects of blending and chemical interesterification reactions on the softening and melting behavior of chicken fat, its stearin and medium chain triacylglycerols, and blends thereof in various ratios. Chemical interesterification is a promising alternative to the current processes of modifying the physical properties of fats. In the experimental design 7 samples corresponding to 7 different blend proportions were used. The results were represented in triangular diagrams. The addition of stearin influenced the softening and melting points. The mixture response surface methodology proved to be an extremely useful tool for the optimization of the fat mixtures.

Sunflower oil is one of the vegetable oils most susceptible to oxidative reaction. Therefore the presence of natural (tocopherol) and/or synthetic (TBHQ) antioxidants is a prerequisite to secure the stability of this oil during its shelf life, especially with the increased use of PET packaging. On determining the total tocopherol content in 10 samples of deodorized sunflower oils, high losses in total tocopherol during deodorization were identified. In order to facilitate researche involving oxidative stability of vegetable oils, a method for isolated quantification of TBHQ using the isocratic elution system was developed.

The function of lipids in human nutrition has been intensively debated in the last decade.This context reinforces the concern about controlling the trans fat ingestion, due to its negative implications on health. Interesterification provides an important alternative to modify the consistency of oils and fats without causing formation of trans isomers. This article reports research done towards production of zero trans fats by chemical interesterification, for different industrial purposes. Aspects related to the effect of trans fats on diet, their impact on health and modifications in Brazilian legislation are also covered.

O consumo mundial de carne de frango foi de 57,8 milhões de toneladas em 2006, segundo estimativas do United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A gordura abdominal de frango corresponde a aproximadamente 2 a 2,5% do peso da carcaça. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram fracionar esta gordura e caracterizar as frações obtidas através da análise térmica e das propriedades físico-químicas. A gordura de frango foi submetida ao fracionamento a seco para obter uma fração sólida à temperatura ambiente. As etapas de cristalização e filtração foram realizadas utilizando procedimentos industriais em escala piloto. As amostras foram avaliadas quanto aos pontos de amolecimento e de fusão, consistência, conteúdo de gordura sólida, composição em ácidos graxos e em triacilgliceróis, índices de iodo e saponificação, e comportamento térmico. Os resultados demonstraram que a gordura de frango é composta por 68,7% de ácidos graxos insaturados. Entre os ácidos graxos insaturados, os monoinsaturados, como o ácido oléico, são considerados desejáveis com relação à redução do risco de enfermidades cardiovasculares. O elevado ponto de fusão das estearinas em relação à gordura de frango foi devido aos maiores teores de ácidos graxos saturados nestas frações, principalmente os ácidos palmítico e esteárico. A gordura de frango e a oleína à temperatura de 10 ºC apresentaram-se plásticas e espalháveis. O alto rendimento das oleínas sugere a possibilidade de aplicação destas frações como óleo para frituras e na síntese de lipídios estruturados. As estearinas podem ser utilizadas como componentes na fabricação de gorduras para aplicação em margarinas para pastelaria, massas folhadas e gorduras para bolos e sorvetes.

The world consume of chicken meat was 57.8 million tons in 2006, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimative. The abdominal chicken fat corresponds to approximately 2.5% of the weight of the slaughtered chicken. The objectives of this study were to fractionate the abdominal chicken fat and to evaluate its fractions regarding the physical and chemical properties. Chicken fat was processed by dry fractionation to obtain a solid fraction at ambient temperature. Crystallization and separation were performed using industrial-type procedures. Softening point, consistency, solid fat content, fatty acid and triglyceride compositions, iodine and saponification values, and the thermal behavior of the samples were evaluated. Results showed that chicken fat had 68.7% of unsaturated fatty acids. Among these, monounsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid, are considered desirable in regard to decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The higher softening point of the stearin was due the greatest levels of saturated fatty acids (mainly palmitic and stearic acids). Chicken fat and olein at 10 ºC were plastic and spreadable. The high olein yield suggests that this fraction can be used as frying oil and in the synthesis of structured lipids. The stearin can be applied as component in the fat manufacturing, in puff-pastry margarines and also in cake and icing shortening.

The aim of this work is to present the new applications of membrane technology in fat and oil processing, with emphasis on development and applications of the enzymatic membrane reactor and its association with extraction and purification technology by supercritical fluids (SCF). Combining the extraction by SCFs and the separation by membranes allows the integration of extractions reactions with selective separation by membranes through filtration of the supercritical mixture (SCF + extracted solutes). This association provides important energy savings regarding the SCF recompression costs.

The production of ethyl esters by alcoholysis is an alternative for splitting triacylglycerols due to the possibility of using low temperatures, which results in oxidative protection of the polyunsaturated fatty acids. Ethyl esters produced under mild conditions of temperature could be used as substrate for obtaining structured lipids. The reaction parameters of production of ethyl esters from fish oil with high content of omega-3 fatty acids by alcoholysis were optimized using response surface methodology. An experimental design (2³) (with levels +1 and -1, six axial points with levels -alpha and +alpha and three central points) was applied. The variables investigated were concentration of catalyst, amount of ethyl alcohol and temperature. Ethyl ester conversion was monitored by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and the best result obtained was 95% conversion rate. The optimal conditions were 40 °C, 1% of NaOH and 36% of ethanol.

The Brazilian market has been showing a growing concern with nutritional values of oil components of foods. Chemical interesterification is a promising alternative to the current processes of modifying the consistency of oils. Chemical interesterification of deodorized palm oil was studied on a laboratory scale. The best results were obtained with 0.4% MeONa and heating for 20 min at 100 °C. These conditions are based on the largest variation in triacylglycerols as compared to a control. The trisaturated values varied from 6.2 to 9.9%, showing that the consistency of the oil improved for it to be used in margarines, without the formation of trans isomers.