Characterization and stability of solid lipid nanoparticles produced from different fully hydrogenated oils.

The use of lipids from conventional oils and fats to produce solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) attracting interest from the food industry, since due their varying compositions directly affects crystallization behavior, stability, and particle sizes (PS) of SLN. Thus, this study aimed evaluate the potential of fully hydrogenated oils (hardfats) with different hydrocarbon chain lengths to produce SLN using different emulsifiers. For that, fully hydrogenated palm kern (FHPkO), palm (FHPO), soybean (FHSO), microalgae (FHMO) and crambe (FHCO) oils were used. Span 60 (S60), soybean lecithin (SL), and whey protein isolate (WPI) were used as emulsifiers. The physicochemical characteristics and crystallization properties of SLN were evaluated during 60 days. Results indicates that the crystallization properties were more influenced by the hardfat used. SLN formulated with FHPkO was more unstable than the others, and hardfats FHPO, FHSO, FHMO, and FHCO exhibited the appropriate characteristics for use to produce SLN. Concerning emulsifiers, S60- based SLN showed high instability, despite the hardfat used. SL-based and WPI-based SLN formulations, showed a great stability, with crystallinity properties suitable for food incorporation.

"Characterization and stability of α-tocopherol loaded solid lipid nanoparticles formulated with different fully hydrogenated vegetable oils".

Solid lipid nanoparticles can be compatible with several bioactive compounds and confer a differentiated crystalline structure. This study aimed to produce α-tocopherol loaded solid lipid nanoparticles with fully hydrogenated oils and fats from palm oil, soybean oil, and crambe oil, by high-pressure homogenization, using lecithin as an emulsifier. After recrystallization of solid lipid nanoparticles, dispersions were evaluated until 60 days of storage for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, microstructure, dispersion stability and α-tocopherol quantification. α-tocopherol loaded solid lipid nanoparticles showed particle sizes and zeta potential values considered adequate for this type of particle. Presence of α-tocopherol altered thermal behavior of the particles, leading to increased crystallinity, with no changes in polymorphism, when compared to the unloaded solid lipid nanoparticles. All α-tocopherol loaded solid lipid nanoparticles dispersions showed stability with no losses of α-tocopherol, indicating their potential as a carrier for this compound in fortified foods.

Açai pulp improves cognition and insulin sensitivity in obese mice.

SCOPE: Obesity and insulin resistance constitute risk factors for the development of tauopathies and other neurodegenerative diseases. (Poly)phenol compounds are under study for its role in protecting effects against neural injuries and degeneration. Here, we investigated the effect of Amazonian açai pulp (AP) intake in the prevention of memory and cognitive impairment resulting from a high-fat diet intake in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Obesity and insulin resistance was induced with a high-fat diet and supplemented with 2% AP to investigate peripheral insulin resistance, recognition memory and tau protein stability via AKT/GSK3-ß signaling pathway. The consumption of AP for 70 days improved peripheral insulin sensitivity and phosphorylation of AKT/GSK3-ß in mice hippocampi. The animals fed high-fat diets supplemented with AP showed better performance in the novel object recognition test (NOR) in comparison to the H group. Catalase activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) values were improved in the treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the supplementation of AP can attenuate the effects of high-fat diet consumption in peripheral insulin resistance and improve cognitive behavior.

Dietary intervention with avocado (Persea americana Mill.) ameliorates intestinal inflammation induced by TNBS in rats.

Nutritional interventions have been shown to be an interesting approach for the treatment of chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Persea americana Mill. (avocado), is a potential food to be used for the prevention or treatment of intestinal inflammation, due to its nutritional value and pharmacological effects. In this study we evaluated if the dietary intervention with avocado fruit pulp could as an intestinal anti-inflammatory diet using a trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) model of intestinal inflammation in rats. For this purpose, 5, 10 or 20% of avocado fruit pulp was incorporated in the diet of rats, for 21 days before and 7 days after TNBS-induced intestinal inflammation. Dietary intervention with avocado fruit pulp (20%) decreased the extension of colonic lesions (1.38 ± 0.99 vs. 2.67 ± 0.76 cm), weight/length colon ratio (151.03 ± 31.45 vs. 197.39 ± 49.48 cm), inhibited myeloperoxidase activity (891.2 ± 243.2 vs 1603 ± 158.2 U/g), reduced tumor necrosis factor-α (53.94 ± 6.45 vs. 114.9 ± 6.21 pg/mg), interleukin-1ß (583.6 ± 106.2 vs. 1259 ± 81.68 pg/mg) and interferon gamma (27.95 ± 2.97 vs. 47.79 ± 3.51 pg/mg) levels and prevented colonic glutathione depletion (2585 ± 77.2 vs 1778 ± 167.2 nmol/g). The consumption of enriched diet with 20% avocado pulp by 28 days did not promote any alterations in the biochemical or behavioral parameters evaluated. Avocado showed intestinal anti-inflammatory activity, modulating immune response, and acting as antioxidant. The dietary intervention with avocado was safe, suggesting its potential as a complementary treatment in intestinal inflammation.

Optimization of high pressure homogenization conditions to produce nanostructured lipid carriers using natural and synthetic emulsifiers.

Lipid-based nanoparticles are one of the most promising encapsulation technologies in the field of nanotechnology, and solid lipid nanoparticles were the first generation of such structures. The second generation of lipid nanostructures is the nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), which are composed of lipid materials with different melting points (MP). High pressure homogenization (HPH) is one of the main methods used on an industrial scale to produce NLC, and the process conditions affect the characteristics and physical stability of the produced NLC. The objective of this study was to optimize the HPH process conditions (number of cycles and homogenization pressure) to produce NLC formulated with different emulsifiers. The pre-emulsion for producing NLC was composed of an aqueous phase (90 %) with a single emulsifier (ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), sorbitan monostearate (Span 60), soy protein isolate (SPI), whey protein isolate (WPI), or enzymatically modified soy lecithin (SL) in a 2 % (w/w) proportion, and a lipid phase composed of glyceryl tristearate (TS) and glyceryl trioleate (TO) in a 40:60 (w/w) proportion, corresponding to a model system containing similar contents of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The influence of the homogenization pressure (HP) (500 to 900 bar) and the number of cycles (NC) (1 to 3) on the characteristics of the NLC was assessed separately for each emulsifier using a2-level full factorial design. The NLC were characterized by the particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PI), and zeta potential (ZP) at 24 h and 15 days after production. The results indicated that SL,Tween 80, and WPI promoted the production of NLC in the nanometric range (PS ranging from 136.00 to 277.17 nm) that were stable (ZP > |20 mV|) during 15 days of storage at 25 °C. Of all the process conditions, 700 bar and 2 cycles were the optimal conditions for producing NLC with the different emulsifiers used in this study.

Interesterified palm oil increases intestinal permeability, promotes bacterial translocation, alters inflammatory parameters and tight-junction protein genic expression in Swiss mice.

High-fat diets seem to have a negative influence on the development of obesity and the processes associated with low-grade chronic systemic inflammation. In recent years, partial hydrogenated oil, rich in trans isomers, has been associated with deleterious health effects. It has been replaced by interesterified fat (IF). However, there is no evidence whether IF ingestion can exert adverse effects on the intestinal mucosa. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of IF on the intestinal mucosa of male Swiss mice fed a normal or high-fat diet, focusing on its effects on intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation and its possible damage to the intestinal epithelium. The animals were divided into 4 groups: Control (C) and Interesterified Control (IC) groups (10 En% lipids from unmodified fat or interesterified fat, respectively) and High Fat (HF) and Interesterified High Fat (IHF) groups (45 En% lipids from unmodified fat or interesterified fat, respectively). Compare to C, the IC, HF, and IHF groups presented flattened epithelium, a shorter villi length and a lower percentage of goblet cells, less mucin 2, an increased oxidative stress and more inflammatory cells, higher IL-1ß, IL-17, and IL-23 levels. These groups also presented increased intestinal permeability and gene expression of the protein claudin 2, while JAM-A and claudin 1 gene expression was reduced. IC and IHF increased IL-6 levels while reducing occludin expression. In addition, the IC group also presented a mucosa with lesions of low intensity in the ileum, an increased mucin 5ac, TNF-α levels, and reduced occludin expression in the distal jejunum. Moreover, there was a significant increase in bacterial translocation in the IC group to blood, liver, and lungs, while HF and IHF groups presented bacterial translocation which was restricted to the mesenteric lymph nodes. In summary, our results supported the hypothesis that IF added to a normolipidic diet can be considered harmful or even worse when compared to a HF.

Nutritional composition and bioactive compounds of Melipona seminigra pot-pollen from Amazonas, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Pot-pollen is a fermented product stored by stingless bees in cerumen pots and traditionally used as food or medicine by natives in tropical regions. Knowledge of pot-pollen composition from the Amazon region is important to strengthen the breeding of native bees and consequently contribute to sustainable development in this region. The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical composition of Melipona seminigra pot-pollen from Amazonas, Brazil. RESULTS: We report the identification of 21 phenolic compounds using ultra-performance liquid chromatography- electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry. Overall, the predominant constituents of pot-pollen were protein (333.8-470.7 g kg-1 ) and dietary fibers (247.6-353.3 g kg-1 ). The predominant fatty acids were polyunsaturated (44.95-59.57% of total fatty acid content) and the samples contained all essential amino acids. Total carotenoid content ranged from 3.2 to 48.0 µg g-1 , total flavonoid content (as catechin equivalents) from 1.9 to 4.5 mg g-1 , total reducing capacity (as gallic acid equivalents) from 7.0 to 15.0 mg g-1 , ferric-reducing antioxidant power from 2.8 to 8.9 µmol g-1 and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (as Trolox equivalents) from 224.9 to 1117.0 µmol g-1 . CONCLUSIONS: This study reports for the first time a comprehensive chemical characterization of M. seminigra pot-pollen. The samples presented antioxidant activity, high values of nutrients and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, insoluble dietary fibers, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and essential amino acids, comparable to other health foods. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Interesterified palm oil impairs glucose homeostasis and induces deleterious effects in liver of Swiss mice.

BACKGROUND: Interesterified fats have largely replaced the partially hydrogenated oils which are the main dietary source of trans fat in industrialized food. This process promotes a random rearrangement of the native fatty acids and the results are different triacylglycerol (TAG) molecules without generating trans isomers. The role of interesterified fats in metabolism remains unclear. We evaluated metabolic parameters, glucose homeostasis and inflammatory markers in mice fed with normocaloric and normolipidic diets or hypercaloric and high-fat diet enriched with interesterified palm oil. METHODS: Male Swiss mice were randomly divided into four experimental groups and submitted to either normolipidic palm oil diet (PO), normolipidic interesterified palm oil diet (IPO), palm oil high-fat diet (POHF) or interesterified palm oil high-fat diet (IPOHF) during an 8 weeks period. RESULTS: When compared to the PO group, IPO group presented higher body mass, hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, evidence of insulin resistance and greater production of glucose in basal state during pyruvate in situ assay. We also observed higher protein content of hepatic PEPCK and increased cytokine mRNA expression in the IPO group when compared to PO. Interestingly, IPO group showed similar parameters to POHF and IPOHF groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that substitution of palm oil for interesterified palm oil even on normocaloric and normolipidic diet could negatively modulate metabolic parameters and glucose homeostasis as well as cytokine gene expression in the liver and white adipose tissue. This data support concerns about the effects of interesterified fats on health and could promote further discussions about the safety of the utilization of this unnatural fat by food industry.

Physical properties of Amazonian fats and oils and their blends.

Considering their diversity, this work evaluated physical properties of Amazonian fats/oils (murumuru, tucuma kernel, bacuri, pracaxi, patawa, and Brazil nut). Solid fat content (SFC) curves and crystallization/melting profiles were determined. We also explored the possibilities of combining these lipids into blends to improve their nutritional and technological aspects. Patawa, pracaxi, and Brazil nut oils presented high levels of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, displaying low atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes (0.10 and 0.18; 0.23 and 0.70; 0.20 and 0.42), respectively. The SFC curves showed that murumuru fat could be used as a cocoa butter replacer, whereas bacuri fat was found to be a promising alternative to hydrogenated oils in shortenings and spreads formulations. The blends expanded fats' melting ranges and enriched their fatty acid compositions from a nutritional standpoint. This work shows that these fats, oils and their blends may be suitable for developing new products in the food industry.

Delaying fat bloom formation in dark chocolate by adding sorbitan monostearate or cocoa butter stearin.

Two formulations of dark chocolate were developed by adding cocoa butter stearin (CBSt) or sorbitan monostearate (SMS) and compared to a standard formulation in order to investigate fat bloom formation over time. Fat bloom was monitored by Whiteness Index (WI), melting behavior and polymorphism determinations, in bars stored during 90 days at 20 °C and under oscillating temperature between 20 and 32 °C. All samples stored at 20 °C did not develop fat bloom and the required ß(V) form was maintained. Under oscillating storage condition, samples with CBSt (6.0%, w/w) and SMS (0.15%, w/w) delayed the surface fat bloom formation by at least 45 and 15 days, respectively, compared to standard chocolate, observed visually and through WI increments. The ß(V) to ß(VI) polymorphic transition correlated well with the WI, and also with changes in DSC thermograms, confirming the higher effectiveness of specific triacylglycerol (mainly StOSt) in delaying bloom formation.

Structuration of lipid bases with fully hydrogenated crambe oil and sorbitan monostearate for obtaining zero-trans/low sat fats.

Several studies have shown that excessive intake of trans and saturated fatty acids is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In this context, the food industry has sought alternatives for the development of healthy lipid bases, with higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids, adapting to current legislation. The incorporation of structuring agents into liquid oils has proven to be a potential alternative for obtaining semi-plastic lipid bases with reduced levels of saturated fatty acids. Thus, the objective of this study was to produce zero trans fat bases with lower saturated fatty acids levels. Palm oil (PO) was used as a zero trans-lipid base reference because of its technological functionality. Blends containing different proportions of high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) and PO were prepared as follows: control 100: 0; 80:20; 60:40; 40:60; 20:80; and 100: 0 PO: HOSO (w/w%), respectively. Then, 3% of fully hydrogenated crambe oil (FHCO) and 3% sorbitan monostearate (SMS) were added to the blends as structuring agents, forming the structured (S) blends. The addition of HOSO to the PO decreased the saturated fatty acids by up to 30.6%, with consequent increase of unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid. The joint action of the SMS and the FCHO allowed for obtaining structured blends with plastic and spreadability characteristics, as well as modifications throughout the crystallization process of the original blends.

Low sat-structured fats enriched in α-linolenic acid: physicochemical properties and crystallization characteristics.

This work sought to obtain and evaluate zero trans-fat reduced in saturated fatty acids, with higher content of unsaturated fatty acids. Palm oil (PO) was used as the reference of zero trans lipid base. Different amounts of linseed oil (LO) were added to PO, obtaining the following blends: 100:0; 80:20; 60:40; 40:60; 20:80 and 0:100 of PO:LO (w/w%), respectively. These blends were added to fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSO) as the crystallization modifying agent, and to sorbitan monostearate (SMS) as the structuring element, both at a proportion of 3% to build the structured fractions. The control and the structured blends were evaluated for fatty acid composition, solid fat content, consistency, crystallization kinetics, thermal behavior, microstructure and polymorphism. With the addition of LO to the PO, an increase of up to 80% was observed in the content of alpha-linolenic acid and a reduction of saturated fatty acids to 47% in the blends. FHSO and SMS offered thermal resistance to the blends, with relevant changes in the crystallization kinetics and microstructure, affecting macroscopic characteristics with the increase in consistence. It was possible to obtain a lipid formulation with features of plasticity and enhanced nutritional quality, compatible with several food applications.

Cocoa butter symmetrical monounsaturated triacylglycerols: separation by solvent fractionation and application as crystallization modifier.

Symmetrical monounsaturated triacylglycerols-also known as SUS (saturated unsaturated saturated triacylglycerols)-are the main triacylglycerols present in cocoa butter (CB), exhibiting decisive influence in the tempering process conditions and sensorial characteristics in chocolate products. CBs with lower amounts of SUS do not crystallize adequately in chocolate processing, generating a low quality product with higher susceptibility to fat bloom formation. In this context, fractions with higher contents of SUS triacylglycerols were obtained by solvent fractionation of cocoa butter, under four operating conditions varying crystallization temperatures (17, 18, 20 and 22 °C) and sample/acetone solvent ratios (1:7 and 1:5, in w/v). After solvent evaporation, CB fractions were evaluated in terms of triacylglycerol profile, solid fat content and melting point. The solvent fractionation performed at 17 °C with a 1:7 ratio of cocoa butter:acetone favored the separation of a higher concentrated SUS stearin (denominated as S17) with 7.1% increment in SUS triacylglycerols, mainly StOSt-1-stearyl-2-oleoyl-stearin (26.9%) and POSt-1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-stearin (45.0%). Additionally, S17 was added to pure cocoa butter at three different proportions of CB:S17 (95:5, 90:10 and 80:20, in w/w) and the blend was evaluated by isothermal crystallization (at 17.5 °C) and consistency (at 10, 15 and 20 °C). Compared to the pure cocoa butter, at 10 °C, the blend with 20% stearin (80:20) showed an increment of 67% in the consistency and considerable higher crystallization rates at 17.5 °C were found, confirming the potential contribution of the SUS triacylglycerols as crystallization modifiers of CB.

Crystallinity properties and crystallization behavior of chocolate fat blends.

Cocoa butter (CB) provides unique crystallization characteristics to chocolates and confectionary products; hence, it is an important value-add product. However, other alternative fats that minimally affect the crystallization behaviour of chocolates and confectionary products are now being increasingly used. This study analyzed the crystallization behaviour of CB, cocoa butter substitutes (CBSs), and their blends. Blends were prepared using CBS concentrations: 5, 10, 15, 20 and 37.5%. CB, CBS, and their blends were evaluated by following analysis: solid fat content, isothermal analysis, polarized light microscopic, thermal behaviour, X-ray diffraction and consistency. Crystallization analysis showed an incompatibility between the 2 fats, with a reduction in the crystallinity and increase in liquid content in all the blends. Eutectic crystallization at 20 °C was only observed for the blend containing 20% CBSs. This was considered as a positive result because previous studies have indicated that CBS concentration in CB blends should not be more than 5%.

Length-scale Specific Crystalline Structural Changes Induced by Molecular Randomization of Pequi Oil.

Pequi fruit (Caryocar brasiliense Camb) is considered important since its pulp has a high content of oil and carotenoids. The oil's triacylglycerols (TAGs) contain mainly oleic (~57%) and palmitic (~36%) fatty acids, distributed primarily among POO, POP/PPO, and OOO TAGs. It displays a tendency to fractionate upon storage and has a relatively low melting temperature (SFC of 4% at 25°C). Pequi oil was modified through chemical interesterification, which increased the PPP content to ~6%. This caused a flattening in the SFC-temperature profile, raising the end of melt temperature significantly (SFC of 4% at 39°C). The interesterified oil does not fractionate and is thermally stable up to 40°C, with an SFC-temperature profile resembling that of roll-in shortening (SFC of 31% at 16°C) despite containing high amounts of oleic acid. Crystallization and melting behavior changed. Crystal packing became more disorganized as evidenced by a significant decrease in crystalline domain size in the [001] direction from 42.3 nm to 32.1 nm. Polymorphism remained of the triclinic (ß) subcell type but polytypism changed from the 3L to the 2L type. Polarized light microscopy demonstrated that interesterification dramatically decreased crystal size, consistent with a higher rate of nucleation in the material. Moreover, the dramatic improvement in physical stability and functionality was not accompanied by a significant decrease in total carotenoid content (~390 mg/kg).

Synthesis of structured lipids containing behenic acid from fully hydrogenated Crambe abyssinica oil by enzymatic interesterification.

Low-calorie structured lipids (SLs) rich in behenic and oleic acids were produced by enzymatic (EI) and chemical interesterification (CI) of high oleic sunflower oil and fully hydrogenated Crambe abyssinica oil in proportions of 60:40, 50:50, 40:60 and 30:70 (w/w), respectively. The immobilized lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lipozyme TL IM) was used for 3 h at 70 °C at a dosage of 7% (w/w) free of organic solvents. The original blend (BE) and the reaction products were evaluated for their fatty acid (FA) and triacylglycerols (TAG) compositions, solid fat contents, thermal analysis, regiospecific distribution of the FA, microstructure and polymorphism. The tendency was towards a reduction in the C52, C54, C60, C62 and C64 TAG contents and an increase in the C56, C58 e C66 TAG contents, therefore the solid fat content was reduced. There was lower acyl migration at the sn-2 position of the TAGs in EI as compared to CI in all the blends ratios. Needle-like crystals were predominant in the IE while large symmetrical spherulites were observed in the BE. Reduction in the mean crystal diameter was observed in all the blends, in addition to modifications of the crystal morphology. X-ray diffraction analysis showed a predominance of the ß' form crystals in both the IE and CI. The SLs were produced for application in the food industry as bakery/confectionery fats in the proportions of 60:40/50:50 and as additive in the crystallization of lipids in the proportions of 40:60/30:70.

Comparison of the regiospecific distribution from triacylglycerols after chemical and enzymatic interesterification of high oleic sunflower oil and fully hydrogenated high oleic sunflower oil blend by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance.

The nutritional and organoleptic attributes of oils can proceed via interesterification of oils blends catalyzed by enzymes or chemicals. Enzymatic interesterification processes are preferred due the regiospecific outcome. Traditionally, monitoring of distribution of fatty acids (FA) in glycerol backbone is performed by enzymatic and chromatographic methods that are time-consuming, involving a series of chemical manipulations employing large volumes of organic solvents. Alternatively, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C NMR) is a fast and reliable technique that could be applied to determine the saturated and unsaturated FA distribution of the triacylglycerols (TAGs) present in high oleic sunflower oil (SO) and fully hydrogenated high oleic sunflower oil (HSO) blends and their interesterification products. The enzymatic interesterification was conducted employing the immobilized lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lipozyme TL IM), the results show that the process was not completely regiospecific at sn-1,3 positions, due to the spontaneous acyl migration from position sn-2 to sn-1,3.

Unsaturated fatty acids revert diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation in obesity.

BACKGROUND: In experimental models, hypothalamic inflammation is an early and determining factor in the installation and progression of obesity. Pharmacological and gene-based approaches have proven efficient in restraining inflammation and correcting the obese phenotypes. However, the role of nutrients in the modulation of hypothalamic inflammation is unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we show that, in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, partial substitution of the fatty acid component of the diet by flax seed oil (rich in C18:3) or olive oil (rich in C18:1) corrects hypothalamic inflammation, hypothalamic and whole body insulin resistance, and body adiposity. In addition, upon icv injection in obese rats, both ω3 and ω9 pure fatty acids reduce spontaneous food intake and body mass gain. These effects are accompanied by the reversal of functional and molecular hypothalamic resistance to leptin/insulin and increased POMC and CART expressions. In addition, both, ω3 and ω9 fatty acids inhibit the AMPK/ACC pathway and increase CPT1 and SCD1 expression in the hypothalamus. Finally, acute hypothalamic injection of ω3 and ω9 fatty acids activate signal transduction through the recently identified GPR120 unsaturated fatty acid receptor. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Unsaturated fatty acids can act either as nutrients or directly in the hypothalamus, reverting diet-induced inflammation and reducing body adiposity. These data show that, in addition to pharmacological and genetic approaches, nutrients can also be attractive candidates for controlling hypothalamic inflammation in obesity.

Fracionamento a seco da gordura de frango em escala piloto / Dry fractionation of chicken fat in pilot scale

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 por cento 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 por cento 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 percent 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 percent 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.

Emprego do Fre-Check na avaliação da qualidade de óleos e gorduras de fritura / Job of the Fre-Check in the evaluation of the quality of oils and frying oils

A medida de compostos polares totais (CPT) é um método padrão para o monitoramento de óleos e gorduras de fritura. As desvantagens são o longo tempo e o trabalho requerido. O Fri-Check é um sistema rápido de determinação de CPT, caracterizado pela simultaneidade de três medidas físicas: viscosidade, densidade e tensão superficial. Visando avaliar a eficácia do Fri-Check, determinou-se CPT, através do método oficial AOCS Cd 20-91 e pelo Fri-Check, ácidos graxos livres (AGL) e índice de peróxido (IP), empregando os kits DiaMed F.A.T.S. FaSafe STD e PeroxySafe STD, respectivamente, para 18 amostras, elaboradas de três alíquotas de óleos e gordura de fritura de dois estabelecimentos comerciais da cidade de Campinas/SP. As medidas de AGL e IP obtidas foram de 0,2 a 0,9 por cento ácido oléico e 2,1 a 11,4 meq/kg, respectivamente. CPT variou de 4,0 a 27,3 por cento (método oficial) e 0,0 a 29,6 por cento (Fri-Check) e a correlação entre os métodos pelos Mínimos Quadrados foi de y = 1,32 x -7,78 (r=0,97). Os resultados obtidos pelo Fri-Check não devem ultrapassar a 20 por cento para atender os limites de descarte da legislação e para se equipararem ao método oficial (ANOVA, α = 0,05), devem ser multiplicados por 1,25.