Effect of High-Intensity Ultrasound on the Crystallization Behavior of High-Stearic High-Oleic Sunflower Oil Soft Stearin

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) and crystallization temperature (T (c)) on the crystallization behavior, melting profile, and elasticity of a soft stearin fraction of high-stearic high-oleic sunflower oil. Results showed that HIU can be used to induce and increase the rate of crystallization of the soft stearin with significantly higher SFC values obtained in the sonicated samples, especially at higher T (c). SFC values were fitted using the Avrami model, and higher k (n) and lower n values were obtained when samples were crystallized with sonication, suggesting that sonicated samples crystallized faster and through an instantaneous nucleation mechanism. In addition, the crystal morphology, melting behavior, and viscoelasticity were significantly affected by sonication.