Incorporation of free and esterified phytosterols as structuring agents in lipid bases for application in rich fat foods

• Grant number: 13/19424-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Ana Paula Badan Ribeiro
• Grantee: Kamila Ramponi Rodrigues de Godoi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 09/53006-0 - Modification, control and stabilization of the crystallization and polymorphic behavior of fats, with emphasis in cocoa butter and palm oil, AP.TEM

Abstract

The controversial issues about the role of trans fatty acids in the diet caused progressive changes in legislation, in order to provide more information to consumers. In response, Brazilian industries have opted for gradual replacement of trans fat in many products, through the development of fatty bases with functionality and economic viability equivalent to partially hydrogenated fats, leading, however, substantial increase in the content of saturated fatty acids in foods. At the current moment, the science of lipids aims to define alternatives to a problem widely discussed by health organizations in the world, which is to limit the saturated fat content in food available to the population. The reduction in saturated fat bases is not feasible by isolated use of conventional modification processes, such as fractionation or interesterification, because the potential for reducing the levels of saturated fatty acids by these means is significantly limited. In contrast, the use of structuring agents or modifiers of the crystallization process as specific triglycerides, partial glycerides and some emulsifiers, have been indicated as the only viable alternative for obtaining low sat fats with properties compatible with application in food. In this context, the phytosterols - minor lipids with proven natural hypocholesterolemic action - presents as a fairly recent option for structuring lipid matrices. This research project aims at the development of zero trans fatty bases with reduced levels of saturated fatty acids, from blends containing palm oil and rapeseed oil, using free and esterified phytosterols as potential structuring agents. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GODOI, K. R. R.; BASSO, R. C.; BUSCATO, M. H. M.; CARDOSO, L. P.; KIECKBUSCH, T. G.; RIBEIRO, A. P. B.. Dispersed free phytosterols as structuring agents in lipid systems with reduced saturated fat. GRASAS Y ACEITES, v. 68, n. 4, OCT-DEC 2017. (13/19424-5, 09/53006-0)