Abstract

This article describes aspects of the microbiology of edible table spreads including milk fat spreads such as butter, fat spreads of the margarine type and mixed fat spreads with fat contents ranging from 80–95% to not less than 20% by weight of the product. The water‐in‐oil character of these products makes a major contribution to their microbiological stability especially after they have been exposed to the micro‐organisms commonly encountered in a domestic environment. The microbiological stability of edible table spreads is also influenced by the concentration and physical nature of the continuous lipid phase with product stability increasing with greater proportions of crystallized fat. Edible table spreads containing higher proportions of water are more vulnerable to microbiological deterioration. This can be controlled by ensuring a dispersed aqueous phase in the product which consists of small discrete moisture droplets stabilized against coalescence. This stabilization can be achieved by the use of increased mono‐ and diglyceride concentrations and/or by increasing the viscosity of the dispersed moisture droplets through the use of stabilizers, thickeners and protein. The development of unacceptable levels of microbiological deterioration during domestic use is prevented by the addition of potassium sorbate to the aqueous phase. Additive free edible table spreads with acceptable shelf‐life can be manufactured by controlling the distribution of dispersed moisture droplet size and nutrient composition.

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