Three new quantitative Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic methods were developed for the analysis of edible oils: two procedures to measure free fatty acids (FFA) and one to measure moisture (H2O), the latter two methods ultimately being automated and implemented on an auto-sampler equipped FTIR spectrometer. The methods developed for FFA determination both convert FFAs to their carboxylate salts by means of acid/base reaction without causing oil saponification, one approach using 1-propanol, an oil-miscible solvent, and the other using methanol, an oil-immiscible solvent into which the FFA salts are extracted. The first method involves splitting oil samples into two halves, with one half treated with propanol containing base and the other half with propanol only. The spectra of each half is collected and a differential spectrum obtained, from which quantization is performed. The methanol procedure simply involves extracting FFA into methanol containing a weak base and quantitating the FFA salts produced. Both FFA methods determine the FFA content by measuring the v (COO-) absorbance at ∼1570 cm-1 relative to a reference wavelength of 1820 cm-1 from a differential spectrum relative to the solvent, the extraction procedure being superior in terms of both speed and sensitivity, being able to measure FFA levels down to ∼0.001%. The method developed for moisture determination involves extracting water in edible oils into dry acetonitrile and then quantitating it by measuring the absorbance of the OH stretching band (3629 cm-1) and/or the HOH bending band (1631 cm -1). All three methods were validated by standard addition experiments, evaluated for potential interferences, and, in the case of FFA determination, compared to the performance of AOCS official methods. The results indicated that the extraction-based procedures were superior to conventional wet chemical methods in both sensitivity and reproducibility. The FFA and H2O extraction procedures were subsequently automated by connecting an auto-sampler to the FTIR spectrometer and developing procedures and software algorithms to enable the analysis of up to 100 samples/h. The methods developed and implemented are a substantive improvement over conventional methods for the analysis of FFA and H2O in edible oils and provide a means by which QC and process laboratories can analyze large volumes of edible oils for these two important parameters.

To investigate interactive effects of dietary fatty acid composition and energy restriction on body lipid metabolism and its regulation, rats were fed for 10 weeks diets varying in fat type and energy intake level. Energy deficiency was achieved by removing carbohydrate from the diets while keeping fat and other nutrient intakes constant. Tissue fatty acid deposition was influenced by the interaction between the dietary fat source and body energy balance. Less total fatty acids were deposited in livers of the ad libitum beef tallow-fed animals than the other fat feedings. However, such difference no longer existed when energy intake was restricted. Similarly, less energy supply eliminated the higher docosahexaenoic acid and lower arachidonic acid contents associated with the fish oil feeding in hepatocyte membrane phosphatidylchohne, phosphatidylserine and sphingomyelin. Tissue lipogenesis was also examined as a function of the interaction of dietary fatty acid composition and energy restriction. Comparable absolute cholesterol synthesis rates were observed in livers of the food restricted animals fed different types of dietary fat, although the synthesis rates were different among the dietary fat groups fed ad libitum. Energy restriction increased the triglyceride-fatty acid synthesis rates in the intestine of the fish and safflower oil-fed groups, but not in that of the olive oil- and beef tallow-fed animals. Plasma leptin concentrations were 60% higher in the ad libitum-fed fish and safflower oil groups as compared with those in the beef tallow diet group, despite smaller perirenal fat mass and fat cell size in the fish oil-fed animals. Energy restriction decreased plasma leptin levels of the fish and safflower oil-fed rats, but not those in the beef tallow-fed animals. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the structural, functional and regulating aspects of tissue lipid metabolism were influenced by an interaction between dietary fatty acid composit

This work describes an investigation of the development of a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic method for the determination of Solid Fat Index (SFI) of fats as a possible replacement of the traditional dilatometric procedure. The initial approach considered was the use of an existing FTIR analytical package which was designed to measure iodine value (IV), saponification number (SN), and cis and trans content. It was hypothesized that these measures could be related to SFI using multiple linear regression (MLR), thereby allowing the existing analytical package to simultaneously make SFI measures. It was found that there was a strong relationship between SN/cis/trans measurements and SFI, especially in sequentially hydrogenated oils. The MLR relationships, however, did not reproduce the dilatometric SFI values with sufficient accuracy in the general case, and this approach had to be abandoned. Subsequently, a partial least squares (PLS) calibration approach was investigated, relating the dilatometric SFI data directly to the spectral characteristics of the melted fats. It was found that suitable PLS calibrations could be developed for soybean and Canola oils. Based on these results, an FTIR system was programmed to determine SFI and the performance of the system validated using pre-analyzed "unknowns". It was shown that the SFI of either soybean or Canola oils could be determined to within $ pm$ 1.0 SFI. As configured, the FTIR system is capable of determining the SFI of a neat and clear, melted fat sample at 80$ sp circ$C in less than two minutes, providing four SFI values, representing the solids content at 50, 70, 80 and 92$ sp circ$F. In contrast to the standard dilatometric method, which takes over two hours to carry out, the FTIR approach provides a rapid means of determining SFI, the technique being suitable for routine quality control applications in the fats and oils industry.

Polymorphic crystal forms in food fats contribute to physical characteristics of the fats and consequently to their performance in fat based foods. In the present study the phase transitions associated with polymorphism behavior of common food fats were investigated. The polymorphism of butters, margarines, cocoa butter and cocoa butter products were determined and the effects of certain ingredients and conditions of temperature were studied. The following polymorphic forms were detected: sub-alpha, alpha, beta' , beta'3, beta' 2, beta, beta2, and beta1; however, not all forms were observed in all fats. Margarines contained beta' and beta forms depending on their fat constituents, while butter, cocoa butter, and fat blends consisted of alpha, beta' and beta; only the beta' form of butter showed a sharp melting point. Rapeseed oil exhibited alpha, beta1 and beta 2 forms, depending on the degree of hydrogenation. / DSC measurements of fat blends were correlated with viscosity index measurements from Universal Material Testing Machine (UMTM) using a single cycle, back extrusion technique. A correlation of R2 = 0.70 (p = 0.95) was obtained. Viscosity index decreased as temperature increased, suggesting a possible relationship between viscosity index and solid fat fraction. This suggests that viscosity index could be a potential indicator of food fat textural properties which are evaluated by DSC. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

No description available.

This thesis investigates whether fats, akin to other taste stimuli, exhibit sensory properties such as mixture interactions. In order to determine gustatory, rather than tactile or olfactory effects, viscosity-controlled emulsions of deodorised oils were used as the base to which taste stimuli were incorporated and presented to a panel of trained assessors. In preliminary qualitative assessments, panellists described the 10% olive oil emulsion as saltier, stronger, fattier and having a more lingering aftertaste than the non-oil control, suggesting that oil modulates taste duration as well influencing taste intensity and/or perceived quality. Panellists were unable to rate the oil/fat taste per se with any degree of certainty hence further experiments examined the effect of oil on the perception of taste mixtures. In mixture interaction experiments, the addition of oil did not result in mixture suppression or enhancement for sweet, salty, sour or bitter while it significantly enhanced umami. To determine the locus of interaction, when MSG and oil were presented to each side of the tongue separately, the enhancement effect disappeared indicating a peripheral mechanism of interaction, similar to the attenuation of chilli burn by oil. In contrast, suprathreshold sucrose sweetness was enhanced by the contralateral presentation of oil, indicating sensory processing at a higher locus. Furthermore, the addition of oil significantly reduced bitterness in a caffeine-MSG mixture. Since earlier experiments did not indicate any interaction between oil and bitterness, the decrease in the perceived bitterness of this binary mixture is attributed to an increase in umami which is likely to have suppressed bitterness, the perceptually dominant component in this mixture. These findings suggest a gustatory role for fats in modulating the taste profile of mixtures, in particular, enhancing total taste intensity, prolonging taste duration, and enhancing umami. A taste receptor-based model of fat perception provides for an orosensory mechanism capable of signalling the arrival of the most energy-dense nutrient, essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. The chemosensory signal may also be the basis for hedonic responses with subsequent implications for intake.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wyoming, 2005. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Nov. 5, 2007). Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-108).

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.