Predictive models for physical properties of fats, oils, and biodiesel fuels

Abstract

Physicochemical properties determine in large extent the application of fats and oils, considering products’ formulation, and the design of equipment and processes in the food industry. These lipids have also been highly significant in the development of the bioenergy industry due to the increasing demand for biodiesel worldwide, whose physical properties should attend strict standards specifications. Fats, oils, and biodiesel are multicomponent systems which present complex phase equilibrium profile. Thus, the phase equilibrium behavior of these lipids plays a crucial role in their physicochemical properties. In this context, several thermodynamic modeling approaches have been used to predict the behavior of lipids and design products with desired properties. In this paper, we critically review and summarize the current state of knowledge of predictive modeling approaches used for the calculation of physicochemical properties of fats, oils, and biodiesel with a special focus on properties related to product design, such as melting/crystallization behavior and viscosity. The most remarkable publications dealing with predictive modeling are analyzed, and the underlying thermodynamic concepts used in those approaches, as well as their limitations, are assessed. Finally, we discuss future perspectives and indicate challenges to improve the research area.