Effects of degree of enzymatic interesterification on the physical properties of margarine fats: Solid fat content, crystallization behavior, crystal morphology, and crystal network

In this study enzymatic-interesterified margarine fats with different conversion degrees were produced in a packed-bed reactor. The effects of conversion degree on the formation of free fatty acids and diacyglycerols, solid fat content, crystallization behavior, microstructure, and crystal network were investigated, and the enzymatically interesterified products were compared with a chemically interesterified product. Formation of free fatty acids and diacyglycerols increased slightly with increasing conversion degree. The solid fat content was higher at 10 and 20degreesC and lower at 30, 35, and 40degreesC with increasing conversion degree. Increased conversion degree from the blend to products, measured by X-ray with addition of 50% of rapeseed oil for dilution, caused the content of beta to decrease from 100% to 33%, and 30% and eventually to pure beta' crystal. However, double chain packing was observed for both the blend and products. Isothermal crystallization kinetics was characterized by the Fisher-Turnbull model. The highest free energy was observed for the blend. A small deformation with oscillation tests shows a significant difference between the blend and interesterified products. The differences of microstructure between the blend, different conversion degree, and chemical randomized product were observed.