Enzymatic interesterification of olive oil with fully hydrogenated palm oil: Characterization of fats

Abstract

AbstractSeven different reaction products were prepared via enzymatic interesterification of extra‐virgin olive oil (EVOO) and fully hydrogenated palm oil (FHPO), by varying the initial weight ratio of EVOO to FHPO from 80 : 20 to 20 : 80. The chemical, physical and functional properties of both the semi‐solid reaction products and the corresponding physical blends of the precursor starting materials were characterized. Fats prepared using large proportions of FHPO contained high levels of TAG species containing only saturated fatty acid residues. By contrast, high levels of TAG species containing both saturated and unsaturated fatty acid residues were found in fat products obtained with the lowest proportions of FHPO. Independently of the initial weight ratio of EVOO to FHPO, the interesterified products were characterized by a higher molar ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acid residues at the sn‐2 position, were softer over a wide temperature range, exhibited lower oxidative stabilities and were completely melted at lower temperatures than the corresponding physical blends. Potential applications of the reaction products range from margarines (highest weight ratios of EVOO to FHPO) to frying fats (lowest weight ratios of EVOO to FHPO).