Interesterification of rice bran wax and palm olein catalyzed by lipase: Crystallization behaviours and characterization

Rice bran wax (RBW) is a traditional plant based natural wax and an increasingly popular component in textiles, fruit coatings and cosmetics. Properties of RBW can be modified by acyglycerols, and the resulting products can possess features with great potential in different applications. In this study, RBW was interesterified with palm olein (POL) catalyzed by Lipozyme TL IM, and the effects of RBW on the crystallization rate, solid fat content (SFC) and thermodynamic properties were investigated. The crystallization rates of RBW-based enzymatically interesterified (EIE) products were significantly higher than both the starting mixture and fully hydrogenated rapeseed oil (FHRSO). The EIE RBW-based samples were predominantly crystallized in beta' form, and presented a much smoother SFC profile as compared to physically blended raw materials. The SFC values were significantly decreased, conversely increased, and remained constant, and at 10 degrees C, 20-30 degrees C, and 35-40 degrees C as the wax ester and acylglycerols compositions changes. Overall, RBW-based samples after EIE showed an increased hardness and good surface properties, which make it a potential plastic fats substitute.