Influence of diglycerides on crystallisation of palm oil

Palm oil diglycerides and pure synthetic diglycerides of 1,2-(2,3-) and 1,3-dipalmitoylglycerol, dioleoylglycerol and palmitoyloleoyl glycerol were added to purified triglycerides of palm oil. The crystallisation kinetics of the samples were studied by spectrophotometry, NMR analysis of the solid fat content and by X-ray diffraction of the crystals obtained at 20 degrees C. Palm oil diglycerides inhibited the nucleation process and retarded the crystal growth rate of palm triglycerides. The effect was less pronounced at a higher degree of supercooling. The extent of inhibition depended on the nature of the diglycerides and the concentration. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.