Effects of chemical interesterification on solid fat content and slip melting point of fat/oil blends

Fat/oil blends, formulated by mixing fully hydrogenated palm oil stearin or palm oil stearin with vegetable oils (canola oil and cottonseed oil) in different ratios from 30:70 to 70:30 (w/w %), were subjected to chemical interesterification reactions on a laboratory scale. Fatty acid (FA) composition, iodine value, slip melting point (SMP) and solid fat content (SFC) of the starting blends were analysed and compared with those of the interesterified blends. SMPs of interesterified blends were decreased compared to starting blends because of extensive rearrangement of FAs among triacylglycerols. These changes in SMP were reflected in the SFCs of the blends after the interesterification. SFCs of the interesterified blends also decreased with respect to the starting blends, and the interesterified products were softer than starting blends. These interesterified blends can be used as an alternative to partial hydrogenation to produce a plastic fat phase that is suitable for the manufacture of margarines, shortenings and confectionary fats.